PASCUAL: “Emil Nielsen is the best goalkeeper in the world!” – Veszprem cruise past Partizan in Belgrade
Veszprem maintained their excellent form following their triumph at the IHF Super Globe in Cairo, while Partizan were unable to match the Hungarian champions in a half-empty Pionir Hall in Belgrade.
Led by the world’s best goalkeeper, Emil Nielsen (24 saves), the Hungarian champions comfortably pulled away from the Black and Whites, whose attacking play was actually functioning well, but the Danish goalkeeper proved to be an almost insurmountable obstacle.
Speaking at the post-match press conference following Veszprem’s 37:26 victory over Partizan, Dragan Pechmalbec and head coach Xavi Pascual shared their impressions for the Hungarian side, while goalkeeper Luka Krivokapic and head coach Raul Gonzalez represented Partizan.
Dragan Pechmalbec (Veszprem)
“I think that after the IHF Super Globe, it was very important to switch our focus to another competition and be ready to win this game. We knew it wouldn’t be easy to win against Partizan. They are playing better and better and improving with every game.
I think we played a very serious match, although there were some periods when we could have done better. However, this is the Champions League, a competition where you only face quality opponents. In the end, we are happy to return home with two points ahead of our next game in a week’s time.”
Xavi Pascual (Veszprem head coach)
“First of all, I am very proud of my team. It is not easy to return from Cairo and immediately switch to another competition. When you play in the IHF Super Globe and then have to return to Champions League action, it is never simple. However, I think we were already fully focused on this competition.
The guys are playing amazing handball. Maybe this wasn’t our best performance. We missed quite a few shots because Partizan’s goalkeeper was excellent, especially at the beginning of the first half. We also lost some balls, but we tried to run and get everybody involved in the game.
I am very proud of these guys, not only because of the victories, but because of the way they are playing. For me, it is a privilege to be their coach.”
On Emil Nielsen, who finished the match with 24 saves:
“It is difficult to describe. I am really proud of the team. Our defense is more or less the same as last season, but this guy is not just someone who saves shots. He is a leader!
When opposing players are about to shoot, they are a little afraid. That gives our defense an extra meter and a half. With him behind us, we can be more aggressive, take more risks and run much more.
I can tell you that Emil Nielsen is the best goalkeeper in the world. Everybody knows it. It is fantastic for us to have him, and I would love him to stay with our team for many more years.
But I am not only proud of Emil. I am proud of the entire team. Without the other guys fighting, none of this would be possible. Handball is a collective sport, and we have to appreciate everybody’s contribution.
Today Emil made 24 saves. Another day he might make ten, and we will still win. The most important thing is that the team keeps fighting even when Emil is not having his best day. For a coach, that is an amazing feeling because it gives you peace of mind and confidence.
I am very proud of our team spirit. We also have players who are not currently on the court, like Lukas Jørgensen, but they are with us every day and fighting alongside the team. The atmosphere we have right now is incredible.
When you are winning, everything is easy. When you lose, everybody wants to criticize you. That is our job as coaches. I understand that we can lose games, but if my team fights like today, the result is not the most important thing. We have to evaluate the way we play.”
Luka Krivokapic (Partizan goalkeeper)
“First of all, congratulations to Veszprem on a good game. We still have a lot of work to do in training and must continue improving.
We have to listen to our coach. We know he has a lot of experience working with top teams. Our job is to follow his instructions, keep training hard and give our maximum in every match.”
Raul Gonzalez (Partizan head coach)
“First of all, congratulations to Veszprem on an excellent game. They are playing amazing handball. They are a top team that recently beat Barcelona by nine goals.
It was very difficult for us because they have an excellent defense and a fantastic goalkeeper. Even when we managed to organize good attacks and create quality shooting opportunities, we came up against their goalkeeper. It was almost impossible to score because he made 24 saves.
Still, I think we are better than before. Not much better, but we are improving as a team. At this moment, Veszprem are simply too strong for us.”
On the absence of Aljoša Damjanović:
“He was ill two or three days before the game. We had enough players in that position, so I decided to leave him out of the squad. That’s the whole story.”
On the difference in quality between Partizan and Veszprem:
“Sometimes it is not about time, but about the opponent you are facing. Look at Veszprem. They won the IHF Super Globe, beat Barcelona and Berlin, and now they have played against us.
They are much better than us, that is absolutely clear. We will see what happens in the future. Right now, they are definitely the stronger team.”
