2025-09-09 10:57

Ahead of our Champions League match against Aalborg, we sat down with our head coach, Xavier Pascual. Here’s the full interview!

What expectations do you have as you enter the 2025/26 Champions League season with your new team?
I hope that we can play good handball and, if possible, reach the Final Four. But of course, it won’t be easy. There are many teams capable of getting there. Still, I trust my players. I believe we are working well, and in my opinion, we are among those top teams that can reach Cologne. That will be our main goal.

What do you think about Aalborg? In recent years they’ve changed a lot: they have many young players, complemented by experienced handballers. What do you see as their main strength?
I think Aalborg has a fantastic team. They constantly develop young players and talents, and they reinforce them with world-class stars like Juri Knorr, Sander Sagosen, or Niklas Landin. At the same time, they also have brilliant youngsters: Hoxer, Arnoldsen, Munk. They can play amazing handball. It will be very, very difficult for us. I’ve watched some of their matches, and what they do is truly impressive. I am sure they will be fighting for the top positions in the group.

Every “first” match is special. How do you feel ahead of the first game of the Champions League season?
Of course, the first match is always special because it’s the first, but at the same time, it’s difficult for everyone. I believe it’s not about how we start, but how we finish. This group will be extremely tough for every team. I don’t think any team can win all their matches – that would be impossible, because every week brings a tough opponent, and playing away is never easy. But this is exactly what makes this competition so perfect. Playing in the Champions League every year is fantastic. Week after week, you get top-class games, and for those who love handball, this competition is pure magic. We’ll see where we stand at the end of the first half of the season. For now, the most important thing is to focus only on this first game. It’s not decisive, but it will surely be a tough one. If we manage to win, it will be very important for our confidence. But we must also remember that we’re playing in Aalborg – and they really are a very strong team.

#RedUnited #HandballCity #StrongerTogether

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