It will be an intense but familiar rivalry in the playoffs finals of the national handball league when Police and APR go head-to-head next month.

The defending champions, Police, and APR set a date for their much-awaited best-of-three finals after proving yet again to be the two most dominant teams in regular season.

Speaking to Times Sport on Sunday, Police coach Antoine Ntabanganya admitted that his team faces a tough battle in their bid to retain the championship.

"We know the tough contest ahead; APR are a good team with experienced players for such big games. We will have to be at our top form to retain the title.”

The first game, of the three-match series, is scheduled for June 15, and will be followed by Game 2 a week later. Should Game 3 be necessary, it will be played on June 30.

In a separate interview, APR manager Anaclet Bagirishya urged his players to invest an ‘extra effort’ in training and mental preparedness for the finals against their ‘all-time rivals’.

"We will be ready in time for the finals; both physically and mentally. We lost to Police in the final last year, and that should be a motivation enough.”

APR are league champions of the 2017 season

editor@newtimesrwanda.com