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The Germans are the physically superior team

- This is a great challenge for s. We'll be very motivated and happy to be in it, but Bundesliga is still our number one priority.

MT Melsungen

Europe and this meeting with Toulouse in the EHF Cup qualifying game has been the focus of Melsungen's interest for weeks. The winner of this match will have to overcome only one more obstacle to become one of the 16 teams participating in the group stage. All that focus on this game might have cost Melsungen better performances in Bundesliga. Getting 7 points after 7 games is not good, and not many are happy with that record.

Their last performance against Wetzlar was like the ones they had in the previous games. The defense is not as tough as it was last year with Kubesa on, the offense is not consistent, which as a reuslt, sees them dropping a lot of points. Thieu two greatest failures happened home as they didn't beat Wetzlar and Gummersbach. 

- We weren't smart enough about it, the draw is like a defeat for me - goal keeper Appelgren said. The final score was 28-28 even tough they had the 9-4 lead.

Wetzlar had the perfect opportunity to score while in a 26-24 lead, but their left wing Rompf missed. The best news from that match is Momir Rnic and his 7 goals. It was the first excellent performance by the left back, who joined as a great signing from Goppingen over the summer.

Melsungen's form ahead of the meeting with the French team is questionable. But one thing is certain - this is a historic match. It's the first time for Melsungen in Europe. They need to put Bundesliga on the back burner today. This is a whole different story in which each and every goal could turn crucial. They have never participated in such a competition.

- This is a great challenge for s. We'll be very motivated and happy to be in it, but Bundesliga is still our number one priority - coach Roth said.

- The opponent is a good mix of young and well-experienced players. Fernandez who is 37 is the oldest one, but remains one of their top scorers. The pace in France is not as fast as it is in Bundesliga. That might be good for us. We need a result that will lay a good foundation for the second leg game.

When comparing their back players Muller, Fahlgren and Rnic with Toulouse's Fernandez, Porte, Andjelkovic, Calvel, Morency, and Gilbert, it becomes obvious that the German team are more powerful and tougher. But physical strenght is very hard to compare. Since this is the opening game for Toulouse, we don't know how well they will cope with an opponent such as Melsungen. Just look back at their recent convincing defeat to Cesson, the team with a tough 6-0 defense, which is very similar to what they will face today.

- Melsungen are a good team, not only especially, but mentally as well. There's a long road ahead for us, there's the opponents' arena and their fans. All of us with more experience is meetings like this one have to give our utmost best - goal keeper Dumolin said. He was participating in Chambery's Champions League campainges for years.

Toulouse are travelling to Germany after a weird game with the French champions Dunkerque. After being two goals down at half time, Dunquerque's game fell apart, allowing the opponent to win the second half 19-13. Dunkerque are currently not doing well (lost to AAlborg home after that game) and the win Toulouse recorded might not mean much. Fernandez was 8/10 (3/4 in seven-meter throws), lineman Zvizez with a perfect 7/7 record, and right back Porte scored 5 goals in 10 attempts. His game is still not at the level coach Garcia demands. Melsunngen have Muller and Schroder for the right back position. Muller's defense task will be to try and stop Porte.

- This is not a domestic competition in which you know the opponent because you meet a few times throughout the season. Melsungen are good in every position, but we don't know them inside-out. That's what makes this exciting - Zvizej said. Him, Fernadez, and Andjelkovic have played Champions League in the past.