23 December 2008
2008 goes to history. It will be remembered as a very special one for us – as a first year of WRHL. There isn't better way to conclude it but with a derby.
And not just with a derby, but with a derby Hypo vs. Krim – clash of two handball giants. Austrian and Slovenian Champions played many matches against each other. Every time they met, spectators enjoyed real handball spectacle. It will be no different this time.
Krim preparing for Metz
Team of Marta Bon already proved their capability to defeat strong rivals in away matches (Budućnost T-Mobile) as well as at home (Viborg). Andrea Lekić and Dijana Golubić showed great performances with their national teams on European Championship in Macedonia. They are amongst four top scorers of WRHL and Austrian defence will have to seriously keep an eye on them.
Mission is clear: Krim need victory on Monday in order to boost self-confidence just before important match of Champions league in Metz. It might be decisive match for second position in group C which leads to CL's main round and amongst eight best teams of Europe.
Prokop and Nemeth worried
Hypo does not have this kind of „CL pressure“. Austrian Champions stand firm on top of group B with three consecutive victories and good prospects for entering CL's main round. But Gunnar Prokop and Andras Nemeth are worried about something else.
That is team’s performance in last match of WRHL played in Zagreb against Lokomotiva. Home team had a lead of 15:11 at the end of first half. Hypo needed 50 minutes to equalize and 54 minutes to take the lead. According to Nemeth and Prokop, Timea Toth was only bright spot in that match. Rest of the team did not show a good play.
Derby of WRHL's 10th round Hypo Niederősterreich vs. Krim Mercator will be played on Monday at 19:00 hours in Sűdstadt. Winner will enter 2009 with raised hands taking second position on WRHL table.
TEXT: Ivan Ambroš
PHOTO: www.hagenpress.com