European Cup in Luxembourg. Dukla wants to get a solid result for revenge
On Saturday from 6:15 p.m., the people of Prague will square off on the grounds of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg with a team that has not experienced the bitterness of defeat in the league competition there this year and whose roster includes players from Portugal, Germany, Slovenia, and France.
Dukla has a flattering record of four extra league victories. However, the people of Prague regret being eliminated in the Czech Cup. “Even though we lost to extra-league Nový Veselý, it is necessary for us to manage such matches. This must not happen to us,” says Dukla’s long-time captain and goalkeeper Tomáš Petržala.
“We are playing with a young squad and sometimes there will be lapses, for example, we waste a quarter of an hour by ten goals. We need to play with a more connected system and convert the developed chances. Experienced players must go and make no mistakes, and the young ones must prove that they can take responsibility as an example,” the thirty-six-year-old veteran offers the recipe.
There was improvement in other extra league matches. “We beat the dangerous Zubří at home a week ago, even though they didn’t come with the strongest line-up, and on Wednesday they won big in Maloměřice,” Petržala looks back on past matches.
Dukla’s excellent half. But the long journey to Prešov ended in defeat
“It is good that we are leaving for Luxembourg with victories behind us. I believe that we will approach the cup duel as it should be. We are doing well on the international stage, we enjoy this kind of match because we are playing against unknown opponents,” he recalls the first round of the European Cup, when Dukla went over the Serbian team Radnički Kragujevac in September, who defeated them in a dramatic retaliation after a seven-meter throw.
In Luxembourg, the goal will be to score an acceptable result, which will ensure that Dukle will have no problem fighting for promotion in the second leg. “From what we saw on the video clips, Esch have a good push forward, they play an advanced aggressive defense that will need to be overcome with strength,” describes the strengths of the Prague captain’s opponent.
Unfortunately, the aforementioned rematch will not take place in Prague. “Our hall in Ruzyna does not meet the requirements for international matches. We could not find an asylum elsewhere in Prague, so the game will be played in the Klimeška sports hall in Kutná Hora. Hopefully it will be sold out, the spectators will create a great atmosphere and drive us to progress,” the captain wishes.
Bravo! The Dukla handball players won their place in Serbia to the second round of the European Cup