Danish Champions League finalists Viborg HK are voluntarily leaving their usual home ground, Viborg Stadionhal, when the second leg of the women's Champions League final against Slovenian Krim Ljublana is taking place on Saturday 20 April...

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Danish Champions League finalists Viborg HK are voluntarily leaving their usual home ground, Viborg Stadionhal, when the second leg of the women’s Champions League final against Slovenian Krim Ljublana is taking place on Saturday 20 April. Instead of being played in Viborg, the match has been moved 60 kilometres south east, to NRGI Arena in Aarhus.

Eurohandball.com has spoken to Viborg’s director Peter Cassøe about this step.

Eurohandball.com: What is your reason for moving the match?

Peter Cassøe: Simply to make room for more spectators and to make more money. As we do not have the commercial rights for the Champions League finals, our only chance to make money on the match is on the entrance fees, and NRGI Arena can take 4,700 spectators, while Viborg Stadionhal can only take 2,700.

Eurohandball.com: But don’t you fear to lose some of the home advantage by moving the match away from your usual home ground?

Peter Cassøe: No, not really. We expect to get huge support in Aarhus, and we offer our fans in Viborg free busses to the match, so I am sure it will still be a real home match for us.

Eurohandball.com: Earlier this season you lost the Danish Cup final to GOG in that same hall, where you are now going to play the Champions League final. Are you not afraid that this will influence psychologically on the players?

Peter Cassøe: No, I am not. We have, of course, spoken to the girls about this before making the decision, and they support the idea. It is true that we lost the Cup final in Aarhus, but we have won other great matches in that hall - and besides, we have also lost important matches in Viborg Stadionhal!

Eurohandball.com: This will also mean that Krim can bring more fans with them, of course?

Peter Cassøe: Yes, and I am sure they will be happy about that!


Text: Peter Bruun