Lars Christiansen shining again

After 14 years with SG Flensburg-Handewitt, Lars Christiansen has returned home to KIF Kolding. It seems that the Danish national record-holder hasn’t lost any of his efficiency though, as in five games in the VELUX EHF Champions League, the 38-year-old has scored 38 times.

ehfCL.com: What went wrong in the game against Montpellier HB? Is the 28:36 defeat inconsistent with your other good results?

Lars Christiansen: In this match we couldn’t figure out what was going wrong. But now we realize that we simply lost to a better team. We also know that we can play better than we did on that day.

ehfCL.com: What aim did you set this season for the VELUX EHF Champions League?

Lars Christiansen: We want to finish in the first four, and the group is still quite an open one. Third, or even second place is still possible.

ehfCL.com: With SG Flensburg-Handewitt you’ve participated frequently in the VELUX EHF Champions League, but even so, this is not a CL premiere for you with Kolding. You were at Kolding when it was the Danish Champion in 1993 and 1994. What has changed at the club since you were last there?

Lars Christiansen: In the past we were happy only to play in the CL. Now we are no longer satisfied with that, but actually want to achieve something. Of course, the whole club has become more professional, but this is a development you can see everywhere in top European handball.

ehfCL.com: You’ve scored 38 goals in the VELUX EHF Champions League. Has it been easy for you to integrate with the team of Kolding?

Lars Christiansen: There were no problems. Of course I had to take care regarding the existing hierarchy of the team. Therefore, I’ve conducted myself calmly and humbly.

ehfCL.com: We hope to welcome you back to Flensburg often. The 14 years that you spent here will always remain a very good memory on your resume, I assume?

Lars Christiansen: My time in Flensburg was a dream, and will always remain a dream. As often as possible I'll travel from Kolding to Flensburg to watch games in the Campushalle. But I don’t regret that I’ve moved from the German Bundesliga. That was one hundred per cent the right decision.