On the weekend, “Tenax” will fight for entry into the third round of the European Cup away from home, meeting with the Bosnia and Herzegovina club “Leotar” from Trebinje in two games for the second year in a row. This year, the Dobele team will play both games away.
There are some changes in the composition of “Leotar”, but we have felt the opponent. A younger and faster playmaker from Montenegro, a strong outer line, a normal team with decent handball. Their style of play is the same, so I see it as a chance for revenge. We analyzed their latest games “A serious opponent with the advantage of playing at home, but we are preparing accordingly and certainly not going to lose,” said Vershakov.
Dobele “Tenax” captain and goalkeeper Artūrs Kuģis also admitted that it will not be easy to beat the home team away from home.
“It’s not easy to play away, especially in the Balkan countries. Their fans know how to push players out of their comfort zone, but it will be a good experience for us. Only in games like this we can gain experience that will be useful for us in the future. On paper, they are certainly favourites, but it can to play in our favor. The longer we are in the game, we will not allow mistakes and easy goals for the opponent, the more difficult it will be for them,” explained the captain.
32 winners of the sum of two matches will enter the third round of the European Cup.
Last year, the Dobelniks recognized the superiority of “Leotar” in both games, losing 22:24 on the road and 26:29 at home.
The EHF European Cup is the third tier tournament after the EHF Champions League and the EHF Europa League.