Ambitious Meshkov Brest will on Saturday (19.00) host rookies Spartak Vojput in League's first match of the season.

With a new coach and few reinforcements, Meshkov are expected to be among serious contenders for the final tournament and even to repeat last year's success when they have played Veszprem in final.

Compared to last season, Meshkov have stronger roster with Pavel Atman, Dainis Kristopans and Alexander Tiomentsev. New coach Bebeshko has changed certain things keeping their strength at highest level. During the preparation period Belarus champions have played seven matches, and celebrated on six. They have also won Belgazprombank cup defeating Polish Wisla.

In this match versus Spartak Vojput there is no doubt about favorite role. Home team is a clear favorite playing at home with a better team and much more experience. 

For Spartak Vojput this will on the other side be the season in which they will have to play against strongest rivals so far. It will definitely not be easy but they surely have potential to show their best.

Sergey Bebeshko, head coach of HC Meshkov Brest:

- At the first half of the week our team was restored after tough games on Belgazprombank cup. We systematically preparing for the match with "Spartak" since Thursday.

Preparation was planned at the way to bring players in the best physical form to first matches of the season. After "Spartak" literally in two days we will have tough duel with "Veszprem", then we will play against "Zagreb" at home.

We are preparing seriously. Players burn with desire and, I am sure, they will play with the same devotion, as on at the Belgazprombank cup. But we don't intend to risk players who was injured. (Vitali Charapenka, Pavel Atman). We have a sufficient choice of performers.

 

Dmitry Nikulenkov, captain (playmaker) of Meshkov Brest team:

- We play with the debutant of SEHA league. But we don't even think about underestimation of the rival. Therefore we have prepared for the starting official match very seriously. Especially becouse we will play on eyes of our fans. We can't let down expectations of fans.

Branislav Zeljković, Spartak's coach:

We will play against famous rivals and certainly they are much stronger. In preparations for the match we've based a lot of things on our defense. We have also used pre-season to work on that a lot and if we play it well we will be satisfied. However these long journeys are quite new for us and we'll see how the team will react.

Veselin Jelić, Spartak's player:

We have prepared well for SEHA League's exceptional quality this season and we will certainly have a chance to compete on equal level with some of the teams that play in the League which is, perhaps after Bundesliga strongest one in Europe. In the first round we travel to Brest to meet an extraordinary rival which has last season reached final. We will do our best to play as good as possible.