Coaches anticipate classics

Advantage Deva
Wednesday's opening fixtures were drawn 2-2 – Croatian hosts HMNK Gospić being held by Georgia's Iberia 2003 Tbilisi, while Romanian side CIP Deva shared the spoils with Slovenia's KMN Puntar. Deva, probably the group favourites after their excellent run last year and their players' exploits for the Romanian national team, then edged to a 4-3 win against Iberia on Thursday. Meantime, it finished 3-3 between Gospić and Puntar.

'Hard match'
Deva now need only draw against Gospić on Saturday to ensure a top-two finish and clinch another Elite round campaign. Their assistant coach, Károly Gáspár, was delighted by last night's result. "We are happy we won and I congratulate my players," he said. "It was a hard match for us. Again, we conceded a clumsy goal through lack of concentration, but in the end it finished well for us."

'Still a chance'
Iberia, meanwhile, are the only team to have entered every edition of this competition yet they have never survived beyond one round. Coach Alexandr Khandokhin was understandably disappointed by the Deva result, although a win against Puntar on Saturday would be enough to break their duck should Deva avoid defeat. "It is hard to say anything after this match, as I am still thinking about the opportunities we squandered," he said. "We don't quite have a strong enough squad, and we are lacking a little fitness, but after a day off we will play Puntar and we still have a chance going into the final game."

Puntar desire
Puntar coach Darijo Leban predicted a thriller after their comeback against the hosts. "We are delighted, and Saturday is going to be special," he said. "We have desire, competitiveness and our goalkeeper, Aljoša Mohorič, was massive for us tonight. He had a superb game in stopping Gospić. The whole team did well and deserved the point."

Gospić believe
Gospić chief Mijo Rimac was more downbeat, his side having twice led by two goals. "I would say we were out of luck and that once again we missed a big chance," he said. "When we get ahead, we are not able to close out the game." He has not given up hope though. "I still believe and remain optimistic. I know my players won't give up, and our supporters will be cheering us on. The Romanian team will be a challenge, although they have shown nothing special at this tournament."