Thomsen back and optimistic

Viborg were missing quite a few injured players in the last couple of months. One of them was backcourt player, Lene Thomsen. Her absence was a big blow for the team as the tall left back is also a strong defender. By now she got over her knee injury that she suffered in December and is back on duty.

Eurohandball.com talks to the 24-year old former national player about her role and about the chances after the second defeat against Hypo.

Eurohandball.com: You lost 27-32 at home on Saturday. Now it seems difficult to reach the semi-finals?

Lene Thomsen: It will be decided in the two last matches, just as I expected all the time. I hope that a good performance will be enough!

Eurohandball.com: But you will need an away win against Zvezda Zvenigorod on Sunday. And you had great problems with them at home as you only won by 31-29…

Lene Thomsen: Yes, but I still think that we have the team and the players who can do it. Of course, each and every player will have to do their best. If we do so, I definitely believe that we can win over there.

Eurohandball.com: You only returned to the team recently after a long injury. What is it like to be back right now?

Lene Thomsen: It’s wonderful! It is nice to be able to step in to replace some of the others when they need a break. Of course, I’m not yet able to play 60 minutes, so my job at the moment is to replace those who need a rest.

Eurohandball.com: In your latest home match against Hypo Niederösterreich some extra responsibility was on your shoulders – in the defence as well as in the attack. Rikke Skov was red carded after her third suspension. What was that like for you?

Lene Thomsen: When playing in attack I could feel that I do not have the speed in my feet that I used to have. Things went considerably better in defence. In attack, I had some trouble when the Hypo defence opened, but I did everything I could as long as I was on the court.

Eurohandball.com: You decided to leave Viborg after this season due to private reasons. Does this make you keener to end with a Champions League title?

Lene Thomsen: I would have wanted that anyway, no matter I was going to leave or not. I always want to perform well and as I was injured two years ago when we won the Champions League and the Danish championship, I would definitely like to finish with a title.