Gislaved's Hope: Wear Out Engelholm

GVK is ready for the playoffs.

1-3, 0-3, 0-3, 0-3. Those are GVK's results against EVS this season.

"On paper, we don't have a slightest of chances," says Dick Runesson.

On Friday evening, Gislaved had their final training for Sunday's playoff game against Engelholm. The training ended with an passionate speech by coach Dick Runesson.

"I usually do not finish the workout like that, but [playoffs] are a bit extra and so it calls for passion. [Lighting the fire] is a way to remind the players of this," he says.

It is series leader Engelholm VS that GVK will meet in the quarterfinals. The first match played in Ängelholm on Sunday.

"We deserve to be in the playoffs. Engelholm should not underestimate us, we have faced teams before that have done that and they've eaten their words."

EVS was undefeated in the regular season and lost only twelve sets, while GVK dropped 59.

"On paper, we have not the shadow of a chance. There we are totally outmatched."

Could that be what gives you a chance?

"Exactly! We tend to be at our best when we are most underestimated."

Gislaved sees a chance for the team to upset the EVS.

"We will try to use their few weaknesses."

EVS has weaknesses then?

"Absolutely. Without revealing too much, I can say that we will try to play a tight defense many times in a row. That is to say that, we should try to get long rallies. They are not so used to it and have a tendency to become tired. We will wear out Engelholm."

Anything more you focus on?

"How we can handle our dips. All teams face dips throughout a match, where they lose 2-3 balls in a row. But we must limit those runs."