Latorre: “This is a historic opportunity and we must strive to support Benidorm”

Now things have changed and the Benidorm team deserved to be in the league on their own merits.l EHF Europa League. The team coached by Fernando Latorre will face each other tonight in the first leg of the pre-group stage tour. Zurich GC Amicitia. Benidorm is exempted from the first round, Switzerland Zabrze from Polandafter losing by eight goals away and winning by nine goals at home.

despite Irregular start in the Asobal League with two home wins (Bidasoa and Cangas) and two away losses (Cisne Pontevedra and Sinfín Santander)Latorre assures that his team is “good” to face this historic event. «We look forward to it very much. We had an unusual start to the competition with everything that happens to us, Major non-renewed players left with injuries and then, a week before kickoff, James Parker left and we couldn’t find a replacement.. All this hasn’t helped us get off to a normal start,” he says.

“The team is competitive, but we had to push the base because we have a very fair roster, which on the one hand is very good because the young players have a chance. We still have a long way to go to be last season’s team.. Now Europe is coming to us, it’s a different competition. We have no experience in such competitions and To overcome the draw and reach the group stage, we must multiply and reveal all the illusions.», says the coach.

Regarding Zurich, Fernando Latorre, «a team with a high budget in our opinion. They have internationals with Iceland, another with the Netherlands and a few with Switzerland. They have seven or eight top players. They are a team more like the Germans, with big and strong players, with less dynamism than us. It will be a battle between a dynamic handball and a more physical and powerful handball.».

Benidorm coach thinks the draw is at 50%. «I don’t see them as favourites, although they have more budget, and despite the losses we are not less favourites.».

Latorre only thinks about this game and a good comeback for the second leg: “The home factor will be noticed and what we want is to focus and play a great game without thinking it’s a comeback. They lost by eight away in the first round and then won by nine at home. This shows us what to expect there.. So we have to play a great game and we’re going to think about the second leg, how to dose it if we have an advantage. All we have on our minds is to win and try to do it for the maximum number of goals.”

Benidorm coach addresses the fact that his team is undefeated at home. «We are fine at home. We won both games against top opponents like Bidasoa and Cangas. and, interestingly, we lost away against Cisne Pontevedra and Sinfín Santander, teams that will be in the lower-mid section. We haven’t been outside and we are not a team that can be won by those who play below our level. We need to improve in this respect.”

To achieve a good result, the coach counts on the support of the fans: «A quarter to nine on Tuesday isn’t the best time, especially for the kids at base, but we should all make an effort because we have a historic and unique opportunity to get into the group stage.. The club tries to get as many people involved as possible so that our people from the academy can be there and good fans can enjoy a great game. That’s why we have to make an effort to support the team and get Palau d’Esport off to a good start».

Rubén Santos is back and Lithuanian Bernatonis complicates things

The coach of TM Benidorm is back on track for tonight’s match. Portuguese defender Ruben Santos and he’s afraid he won’t be able to do the same with her. Lithuanian winger Rolandas Bernatonis. Latorre has a very fair squad, especially after leaving the team. Argentine James Lewis Parkerwent to Zamalek in Egypt, where a few weeks ago he paid the 30,000 euros and trained the Spaniards, Matthew Garralda. This was a big blow for the Benidorm team that was left alone. Edu Calle single left-backLost one of its best players and it’s hard to find a replacement, at least until December. Therefore, he needs the best version of all his players to get past the draw with Zurich. Argentine Colo Vainstein and Iker Serrano are getting better and better after recovering from their injuries. And tonight they have to prove it. TM Benidorm relies on its strength and public support to achieve a good result, which allows it to face the second leg with the guarantee of passing the draw.