by Sascha Staat
Before the EHF Champions League FINAL4 semifinal, the 3rd best goal scorer of the competition, Kamil Syprzak (92 goals) looks forward to the match between Industria Kielce and PSG Paris.
On facing his old nemesis Kielce and PSG’s tough season:
“No, it’s not that special anymore. I remember a few years ago when I was still in Plock, but it’s a long
time ago. Let’s say the old “conflicts”, they’re something of the past. Now, I’m in Paris trying to fight for the
trophy that everybody wants – for sure it will be an amazing game and hopefully we’ll be able to win this one and go through to the final.”
On the roller coaster season with Paris:
“I have to be honest with you, it wasn’t easy for us this season. We had a lot of ups and downs and we
lost one of the most important players, Nikola Karabatic at the beginning of the season. Let’s say the
team was not scared, but a little bit lost. But, I also have the feeling that we handled it really well after all. We
moved even closer together as a group and we knew that the gap Nikola left, would be almost
impossible to cover. But, we managed to do it and I have the feeling that we are playing even better right
now.”
On Karabatic’s injury:
“I’m sure with Nikola, we would be a much stronger team. We are missing him a lot, but that’s life, that’s handball. Injuries happen and will happen all the time – it’s always like this. You have to know how to deal with it, get used
to it and just continue to achieve your goals.”
On fighting for the French league title until the very end:
“It was quite long season for us. The question of who will become champions was only answered on the very last game day. May be that’s a benefit because we stayed at a high level of competition. Of course, everybody is tired after a long season, but we have to convince ourselves that it’s only a mental thing. Your body is telling you something different. But, there are only two games left and we have to leave everything on the court until the very end.”
On knowing Kielce extremely well:
“I’m trying to help my team as much as I can, as I know a lot about Kielce. There
still are some things that they didn’t change since I was playing in Plock. I speak a lot with the players. But, handball is about the details. Everybody is playing almost the same game, only the details change a little. They will decide what you will
achieve. The two games will be only about the details.”
On why Paris will make it to the final:
“I have the feeling that we are in really good shape, right now. The team is amazing and we have a lot of confidence. We just have to show it on the field. I’m sure after 60 minutes, or maybe more, Paris will be celebrating, hopefully.”
