PPD Zagreb testing remarkable MKB MVM Veszprem
Champions League's traditional clash will on Wednesday move on SEHA GSS League's courts with Veszprem hosting PPD Zagreb in their first SEHA duel. Until now they were meeting only in Champions League. Zagreb has never managed to win in Hungary losing three times and reaching a draw once - 19 years ago.
Veszprem has 6 wins from 6 rounds in SEHA GSS League this season. Zagreb on the other side has 3 wins from which 2 in away matches against NEXE and Meshkov and 2 losses. Hungarians will host Zagreb after a tough win against Celje in CL while Zagreb is traveling to Veszprem Arena with a loss against La Rioja in Spain still on their mind, especially because of their captain Horvat's injury. Obranović, Stepančić, Brozović and Josip Valčić are also experiencing difficulties but coach Vujović will probably be able to count on them on Wednesday. Veszprem will surely play without their captain Laszlo Nagy.
Veselin Vujović, PPD Zagreb's coach:
- We have some injured players, we won't be able to count on our full roster but despite of that we are traveling to Hungary full of optimism. After Kiel and PSG we'll play against one of the best teams in Europe which is great for our young players. I see these matches as a unique chance for them to gain experience and become better.
Leon Šušnja, PPD Zagreb's player:
- We've forgotten the match in Spain and we're aware what is waiting for us in Veszprem Arena. Our defence is getting better, we're faster and more agressive especially now with coach Vujović. It will be important to reduce technical mistakes to minimum as well as use absence of some of their most important players like Nagy and Zeitz.
Antonio Carlos Ortega, MKB-MVM Veszprém's coach:
- I am sure that a very hard game is waiting for us. We have a lot of injuries and we have not had so much time to prepare for the match but we are going to play at home in front of our amazing fans where nothing but the victory is the goal for us. If we would be able to win tomorrow then we go without lost point to have a short break during national team games. That would be a small record for us because it has never happened since I became the head coach here. This fact can give an extra motivation for us against Zagreb that could beat the Kiel in the Champions League. Christian Zeitz would like to play very much tomorrow but he is not ready for 100% performance yet. He will sit on the bench and then play some minutes for sure.
Peter Gulyás, MKB-MVM Veszprém's player:
- We will try to do everything in order to win. We cannot have any other option at home. We must be patient and execute our well-practiced plays. We did it in Celje and together with our excellent defense this was the key to the victory. Against Zagreb we must bring a good performance in defense again and pay big attention on stopping their fast breaks because they are a very fast and young team.