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After a challenging 2016-17 season marked by going through the playdowns to ensure their place in the LFH, OGC Nice Côte d’Azur Handball is preparing to open a new chapter with the start of the 2017-18 season.
Facing the reigning French champion tonight in front of their home crowd, Nice will attempt to achieve an upset against the Dragonnes, relying on a complete squad led by star recruits Carmen Martin and Linnea Torstenson, who have already shone during friendly matches played by the Aiglonnes.
Before this showdown, Nice coach Marjan Kolev shared his thoughts on this meeting and the objectives of his club for this season.
*You will welcome the reigning French champion this Wednesday as part of the first day of the championship. How are you approaching this duel against Metz Handball?*
We have prepared for this match against Metz, and we will play this duel like all the others, to win. Facing the French champion at home on the first day is a very good thing for the club. It’s excellent promotion for the start of the season and for our public, who will be able to discover our new team. It’s all bonus, I think the pressure is more on Metz’s side, and we will give our best, and we’ll see at the end of the match.
*A word on your three recruits, including Carmen Martin and Linnea Torstenson, who won the Champions League two years ago with Bucharest…*
I’ve played with many great players in my career, but being new as a coach in the LFH, I hadn’t really had the opportunity to coach players of this caliber yet. Their integration into the group happened very quickly, and their expertise allowed them to quickly adhere to our game plan. They are talented players with a lot of experience, which obviously made our job easier. They are players who give a lot, who want to share their experiences with the group to elevate the team. If we manage to avoid injuries this season, I think we will be able to make the most of the qualities of our three recruits.
*What are Nice’s stated goals for this 2017-18 season?*
We may have been a bit too optimistic at the start of last season and had a difficult exercise. Now we have ambitions, and I have no doubt about my club and my team. We will go step by step, and we will see where we stand after the first matches of the championship.
