Meshkov Brest and Spartak to clash for their first points

Darko Djukic

In their second match of the season, both Meshkov Brest and Spartak will try to secure the first points in the 9th SEHA season. Belarusian champions Meshkov Brest will host the newcomers from Russia on Tuesday, 17th of September. The match is scheduled for 5:15 PM (CET). The hosts will try to confirm their ambition for the highest ranking in Group B and will try to forget the defeat in the first round against Telekom Veszprem. On the other side, this will be the second time for Spartak to play on the SEHA court. This time, they will meet with a very experienced team in this League.

Duel against Spartak will be a real test for Meshkov Brest. Home team is in need of points to restore confidence and to get back on the winning track. 

Spartak also didn’t secure the points in the first round when they were defeated by another newcomers, Eurofarm Rabotnik. Despite good opening of the match, they failed to maintain a good form and to secure a victory. 

Raul Alonso, Meshkov Brest coach:
We returned from Porto a few hours ago. We will need to prepare for this match in a short time. We only have one practice before the match. We don't have much time to study our opponents, but Spartak are one of the teams we already know. They changed a little bit, but are still the same. First of all, we need to analyze ourselves and continue the play we showed in the first half in Porto. It was a really good job. It's important that we will play at home and will feel the support from our fans.

Darko Djukic, Meshkov Brest player:
I think it will be a good match for us. We know Spartak and how they play in domestic championship. We know their players. We want to feel confident and are in need to win this match after defeats against Veszprem and Porto. 

Igor Levshin, Spartak coach:
We are very happy to be in Brest again! We participated in the Belgazprombank's tournament last summer with great pleasure. We arrived in the full force and ready to give our all. Meshkov Brest are a very good team. They have a good, well-build squad, with good players in attack and defense, and strong goalkeepers.

Svyatoslav Krivich, Spartak player:
We understand that Meshkov Brest are a very serious opponent. They are a constant participant of the EHF Champions League and SEHA – Gazprom League. They participated at the SEHA Final4 tournamernt for two years in a row! The most interesting Meshkov Brest's players for me are Alexander Shkurinsky, left back of the Russian national team, goalkeeper Ivan Pesic and the left-back William Accambray, who joined the club this season.