ISRAEL: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Last minute preparations for Group C decider Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hamburg SV in Europa League

Record ID: 396302

  • Title: ISRAEL: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Last minute preparations for Group C decider Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hamburg SV in Europa League
  • Date: 17th December 2009
  • Summary: REPORTER WRITING IN NOTEBOOK AT MEDIA CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (German) HAMBURG SV COACH BRUNO LABBADIA, SAYING: "We already said we came here to win the group. That's our goal but on the other hand, we know that Hpoel are a strong team and have had excellent results here. That means that we will have to do our best tomorrow. How we play or what formation we play is still
  • Embargoed: 1st January 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Israel
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA1B550SQX7F29LMFUJ5KD4GUVV
  • Story Text: Hamburg SV and Hapoel Tel Aviv wrap up preparations for Thursday's group C decider in the Europa League.
    The scene is set for a thrilling finish to group C in the UEFA Europa League with Hapoel Tel Aviv hosting Germany's Hamburg SV on Thursday. (December 17) Both teams have wrapped up preparations for the match with final training sessions and both are determined to move into the last 32 with a win.
    "It will be full stadium, and if we are coming to play in front of our fans, and we have great fans, we must to bring quality," Eli Gutman, Hapoel Tel Aviv's coach told reporters in central Israel on Wednesday. (December 16)
    "We want to play our game and to give good fight to Hamburg. And if everything will go on the right way, to win the game," he added.
    Hamburg SV, former European champions who will host the final of the Europa League next May, beat Hapoel Tel Aviv 4-2 in their last encounter in Germany. But Hapoel have not been beaten at home in the group stages this season with two victories and two draws.
    "Hamburg is a favourite, one of the favourites (to win) this whole league," Gutman said.
    "As the team that is hosting the finals of the Europa League in its stadium, they are favourites, but not just because of this, because of their player line-up, because of their good quality and the tradition of the club. But, we are here."
    Hamburg SV player, Jerome Boateng, said his team is well aware of the challenge in front of them on Thursday.
    "We do want to win the match, it will not be easy. We want to be first in our group, that's why we want to win here," he said.
    Hamburg coach Bruno Labbadia told reporters he remained undecided on his line up for the match.
    "We already said we came here to win the group. That's our goal but on the other hand, we know that Hpoel are a strong team and have had excellent results here. That means that we will have to do our best tomorrow. How we play or what formation we play is still open tonight. We have two important matches ahead of us. The one here tomorrow and then again on Sunday."
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