Ola Lindgren in HM interview: "Scandinavian model mixed with German one"

Field appointment in Nordhorn, HSG Nordhorn´s office: For German Handball-Magazin, Ola Lindgren, 44, took more than our to discuss about handball. On the financial crisis of HSG Nordhorn, about the lessons learned from coach ikon Bengt Johansson, his life in a family full of women and his love to old Mustang cars and fast horses. handball-world.com prints and translates extracts of this interview in cooperation with Handball-Magazin, the complete interview is only part of the November issue of “HM” which can be bought in Germany from 31 October.

During the talk with HM, Lindgren showed the ease which is as typical for the people of the County of Bad Bentheim. And another element fitted: Ending the talk, Lindgren catched his cap and went to training by bike.. "This is my contribution to environment protection", the double World Champion stated winking.

Excerpt from HM-Interview

HM: How do you esteem Nordhorn?

Ola Lindgren
It is amazing that we have a work climate at ease, here. There is not so much pressure from outside. We can implement our scandinavian model without hurry and stress. And we have always been lucky to commit new players who fit into the region, emerge and adapt to their envisaged role. Elsewhere the pressure to success is harder.

HM: Is the „Grafschaft“ really a pressure-free zone?

Ola Lindgren
No. We produce the pressure inside our team and elaborate goals for ourselves. After a defeat there will be nobody to hold a crisis talk. It is important for us to control such a situation internally. One is a lot more engaged if one finds our himself where the mistakes have been made and if the solution is made up together.

HM: So, self-motivation instead of strict rules?

Ola Lindgren
I say, you do not have to be late. This is a rule. But if the team sets his our framework concerning punctuality and mutual respect, then the acceptation is much higher than with simple rules. Since it results from the group cohesion and contributes inner power to the team.

HM: What is this philosophy derived from?

Ola Lindgren
It is no great mysterium that I have mixed the Scandinavian model with the German one...

The complete interview is released on 31 October in November issue of Handball-Magazin (German only).

Chambery: team of October in France

The beginning of the season was fabulous for the French Chambery Savoie. They clinched six victories from six games in two competitions, the French League and the Champions League. Not many clubs can boast with such an achievement.

The team of coach Gardent is leading the table in France and they have good chances to qualify for the Main Round. As a consequence, the French coaches chose Chambery the best team of the month October.

Chambery president, Alain Poncet, was really satisfied with this prize:

“It is very nice for our players. It means that we are on the right track and we are working properly. But the season is very long and we must keep playing with the same motivation that we had last games. We cannot think that everything is done. We have to work to continue in the same way”.

It is increasingly difficult for the team in France. From now on all clubs are putting in double effort to become the first team to beat Chambery.

Metz: disappointment after Viborg

Viborg are among the greatest European clubs and also favourites for the CL title. It doesn’t change the situation: Metz are disappointed to lose against the team of coach Vestergaard.

Metz top scorer, Svetlana Ognjenovic, commented:

“We played badly, but the 13-goal difference does not reflect the real strength of the two teams. It will be difficult to play worse than we did that day”.

Metz president Thierry Weizman was not so negative:

“We lost against a great club, the best in the world for me. This defeat shows everybody where we stand in reality. However, we are hopeful to qualify”.

Two players, Helene Francois and Vesna Horacek, agreed in some critical points:

“We lost balls and we were not able to impose our style. It is a pity because we fought well in the first half,” Francois said.

Horacek added: “We worked hard in the first half and we gave up in the second. Their goalkeeper Haraldsen showed why she is one of the best in her position. I hope that we can learn from the defeat”.

TEXT: Fernando Urra Goni

Dutchmen with surprising victory against Ukraine

Gerrie Eijlers was backing his team In qualification group 7 for Euro 2010 in Austria, the Netherlands celebrated a surprising home victory. With a 24:19 (14:19) result, the host team prevailed against Ukraine and may now dream of participating in European Championship finals. If the games against Lithuania and Cyprus would be won, and both Ukraine and the Netherlands would lose their matches against Spain, it would amount to the showdown in the return match on 17 June 2009, because then the direct comparison would decide. The best scorer of the Dutch who were especially convincing in defense, was no Bundesliga legionnaire but Bartek Konitz with seven goals.

"Spain is the favourite in our group, but against Ukraine and Lithuania, we must show our potential. The physical and mental state of the day will decide those matches. The upcoming comparison with Ukraine is already a key game for us," goalie Gerrie Eijlers put up the significance of the successful match in advance. And the Dutchmen should proof to be an equal adversary in that match.

After the start, the 1,400 spectators in Emmen were glad about the first 2-goals-lead at 7:5 with three goals of Bartek Kontitz. But then, a time penalty against Mark Bult was an advantage for Ukraine who scored three goals in succession at 8:10. But now the defense of the Dutch ameliorated, while Ukraine equally lost power offense. Tim Remer catched up the backlog and also due to three goals of Mark Schmetz the outsider took a 14:10 lead into the cabin.

At the beginning of the second half Ukraine came up to 18:16, but the Dutchmen had the match in their grip. Especially the strong and movable defence arranged for Ukrainian problems. The back players did not get in positions because they lacked the necessary pressure, but also goalkeeper Gerrie Eijlers was excellent. So, the host led the match by 22:17 and after a double blow to 24:17 the decision was finally taken. Ukraine, however, still managed an answer to 24:19, which, if the direct comparison between these two teams should still be relevant in the end, might be decisive.

The Dutch coach Harrie Weermann was overjoyed, the whole week we have sensed that the team wants to win this game and is able to. "Nineteen goals against by Ukraine - this is unprecedented," said Weermann on their defense and goalkeeper Eijlers: "It might also have been a seven goals lead," Weermann looks back a bit sad at the last minutes of the game. "But before the game we would have been overjoyed about a one-goal-win," relativized Weermann immediately. "The victory was our aim that we have achieved now. We habe a good feeling. In defence we were good, there we have won the game," said Fabian van Olphen, who still added: "Saturday will be the game against Cyprus and there will be no discussion that we have to win."

EHF suspends Dimovski

The European Handball Federation (EHF) suspended Vanco Dimovski for one match. The Macedonian player was convicted of an „action against team spirit“ during the last five seconds of a match in Champions League Gruppe C, when his team Metalurg Skopje played against Drammen HK. Dimovski was disqualified directly and was no suspended by EHF.

In the match against the Northmen, Skopje won 37:30. So, it was no typical case of lack of sportsmanship for securing a result. Dimovski who is also captain of Metalurg, scored seven times and now is missing in the game against Barcelona on 8 November.

2010 Men's European Championship Qualification Results

Russia - Bosnia and Herz. 37:25

Greece – Hungary 21:27

Estonia – Norway 25:33

Croatia – Finland 39:20

Israel – Slovenia 28:36

Latvia - Czech Republic 31:34

Spain – Cyprus 32:20

Germany – Bulgaria 42:11

Faroe Islands – Serbia 20:41

Poland – Montenegro 30:20

Iceland – Belgium 40:21

Veszprém beat Szeged

The two Hungarian CL sides did not have much time to rest before the upcoming group matches. Szeged hosted Veszprémin the Hungarian league.

It was three and a half year ago that Veszprém could take points from Szeged for the last time. The team of Lajos Mocsai stepped on court on Sunday to break this bad series.

Szeged has been unlucky with injuries and illnesses in the last few weeks. Coach Vladan Matic had to use many young players to replace the missing Andjelkovic, Laluska, Nenadic and Stamate.

Though both teams were unbeaten before the game in the league, the CL games were far not so easy for the Hungarians. Szeged lost two home games against Rhein-Neckar and Zagreb, while Veszprém suffered a shock-defeat in Iceland.

With all this in mind, both teams needed a victory to boost their confidence. Veszprém were visibly in better physical condition and they took the initiative right from the beginning. It was Osmajic to keep Szeged in the game and the hosts could come back to one goal on several occasions. At the same time, Szeged had no chance against the quick counter attacks of the guests.

It was 12-16 at half-time. Eklemovic&Co. Did not allow Pick closer after the break. Szeged were struggling to find the gaps in a very tall defensive wall and they needed to fight hard all the time. Coach Mocsai could rely on more substitutes and they defeated Szeged that was very tired in the last 10-12 minutes. In the endgame the guests could even practise a few tactical variations and took a 26-30 victory.

Regarding the future: MKB Veszprém seem to be in good form to taget the qualification from Group F, while Pick Szeged have set a new target: a Cup Winners’ Cup place in Group F.

TEXT: Juhász Judit

Cervar announces squad for matches against Finland and Hungary

Lino Cervar anounced a squad of seventeen players for upcoming games against Finland in Zagreb 29.10.2008 at 18.00 h. and Hungary in Veszprem 02.11.2008 at 12.45 h. .
1. Mirko Alilović CBM Ademar Leon
2. Mario Kelentrić Melsungen
3. Zlatko Horvat CO Zagreb
4. Vedran Zrnić VFL Gummersbarch
5. Manuel Štrlek CO Zagreb
6. Goran Šprem HSG Nordhorn
7. Igor Vori CO Zagreb
8. Dalibor Anušić Goppingem
9. Jakov Gojun Siscia
10. Tonči Valčić CO Zagreb
11. Denis Špoljarić CO Zagreb
12. Domagoj Duvnjak CO Zagreb
13. Denis Buntić CBM Ademar Leon
14. Damir Bičanić CBM Ademar Leon
15. Marko Kopljar Metković
16. Drago Vuković VFL Gummersbarch
17. Petar Metličić HB Ciudad Real