Champions League Draw and Reactions

The draw of the Women’s Champions League was carried out Tuesday morning in Vienna. The pairs promise great battles, but it was already sure before the draw that the eight teams qualifying from the group phase are unarguably the top clubs of Europe.

The pairs:

Győri Audi ETO KC vs Larvik HK
Aalborg DH vs Hypo Niederösterreich
Slagelse DT vs RK Krim Mercator Ljubjana
Viborg HK A/S vs HC Lada Togliatti

The first leg will be played on 17/18 March, while the second legs a week later, on 24/25 March.

The club officials who arrived in Vienna to attend the draw were all satisfied with the results. They told Eurohandball.com why.

Deja Doler (Krim Mercator Ljubjana):

“Only the best teams reached the quarterfinals, so we had no special wishes about the opponent. Of course Slagelse are not easy to play against, but we know them well as we played against them two years ago in the final. If a team wants to reach the top, they have to beat anyone.”

Lajos Kiss (Győri Audi ETO KC):

“All three opponents we could have played against were good teams. It is even an advantage that we know them well. We have already beaten them in the Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final, we know where we go, what to expect.

“We have beaten Togliatti by 11 goals last weekend, which is a great thing in the CL, and it shows improving form. When our injured players return to the team we can be even better.”

Gerald Berger (Hypo Niederösterreich):

“It is difficult to choose a team you prefer to play against. Győr finished on the second place, for example, is even better than many would believe.

“All depends on our form. If we play well, we are able to beat anyone. We played about 80% of what we can in the group phase. I believe we can still improve.”