Test of courage

Sunday is getting closer, but the situation in Buducnst T-Mobile before the start of the Main Round against Oltchim is still not the best.

Gabriella Kindl, Tihana Ambros and Sladjana Grozdanic recovered from injuries; Jovanka Radicevic is on her way back on court.

Captain and the top scorer Marija Jovanovic and Ana Radovic are out. Both suffer from shoulder injuries, and their game on Sunday is in doubt.

Eurohandball.com talks to Katarina Bulatovic, right back of Buducnost, who scored 29 goals so far in CL (third scorer of the team).

Eurohandball.com: Buducnost have many injuries and you lost your recent games in the Regional League. In such circumstances what are the chances against the Romanian champion?

Katarina Bulatovic: It’s not a good period for us. Injuries affected our play in the past two games and results were not as good as we expected. But we have to forget everything as we will have a very important game on Sunday.

I don’t know about Marija and Ana, but the rest of the team will be ready for the game against Oltchim. Anyway, the players who will play will form the best team on that day.

Regarding Oltchim, I don’t want to overestimate the Romanians or underestimate my team. We still haven’t seen their DVD, but I have seen their match against Podravka. The goalkeeper Luminita Dinu is their most experienced player and they are a very good team, but they have weaknesses as any other team. We will play our game and we hope to get a positive result.

Eurohandball.com: In the 2007/08 season Buducnost played against Oltchim in the group phase and lost both games. You were not here yet, so their goalkeepers do not know you so well…

Katarina Bulatovic: Well, individual players are not important. The team is important. If we want to beat Oltchim, the whole team must give their best.

Eurohandball.com: In the group phase with total of 14,000 fans from three home games, Buducnost set a record this CL season. Do you expect a crowded hall on Sunday?

Katarina Bulatovic: Our fans proved that they are the best in Europe. I hope that they will confirm it on Sunday again. We need their support a lot because our motivation is stronger when we can count on them. I believe they can help us a lot to win.

Eurohandball.com: How did the new players, Sanela Knezovic and Sladjana Grozdanic, fit in?

Katarina Bulatovic: They both showed that they will be a great help at our next games.

Eurohandball.com: Reaching the eight best teams in the CL was already a great success. How far can Buducnost get against Oltchim, Krim and Győr?

Katarina Bulatovic: I think we can reach far in the Main round as well. If we will get a chance, we will play for a place in the semi-final. Why not?

Eurohandball.com: What is your personal goal this season?

Katarina Bulatovic: I only wish the team to be successful. We want to give our best this season and show what we are made of and what we can do. We just have to believe in it.