Jelena Erić: "Interesting years lie ahead!"

After many years in the Danish GuldBageren Ligaen, and as a member of the league´s All Star Team in 2007/2008, Jelena Erić is enjoying a ‘new beginning’ with her National Team and her new club, the Serbian Champions, HC Zaječar, where she returned after EHF EURO 2008 in FYR Macedonia.

ehf-euro.com: Two easy wins at the beginning of the EHF EURO 2012 Qualification tells us that Serbia has ‘one leg’ in the Netherlands?

Jelena Erić: We used those games against two weaker opponents, Greece and Portugal, to build a system and some principles for our game. We had a good time, and tried to get the maximum benefit from our training sessions. After those seven days, all the girls and coaching staff were satisfied with the results and atmosphere.

ehf-euro.com: Svetlana Ognjenović and yourself returned to the Serbian National Team after a few years. May we describe that as a ‘new beginning’, even though you are an experienced member of the national team squad? Is your comeback related to the recent changes of coach and team manager?

Jelena Erić: I’m really glad to be back in the National Team. I already had an opportunity to work with the new coach, Saša Bošković, in season 2004/2005 at Knjaz Milos, and that was a good experience. We are going forward to our goal – EHF EURO 2012. As host nation of the World Championship in 2013, I can say that, for Serbian handball, interesting years lie ahead...

ehf-euro.com: Even though, with Greece, you faced a very weak rival, the Sports Arena Čair in Niš was full with 4000 spectators. That was the biggest crowd of the Round 1 EHF EURO qualifications. Did you expect that after the rather mediocre results the National Team has had in recent years?

Jelena Erić: Handball fans in Niš have very good handball knowledge. This is not the first time we’ve played in Niš and I can honestly say it has always been like that. They really are our „eighth player". I was quite concerned before the game, but the people from Niš have shown, yet again, how much they love handball and our National Team. With their backing, things are much easier to achieve...

ehf-euro.com: You now have a clear situation. Your matches against Romania will decide who will be first or second in the group, which is important, because of the draw’s pots. Is Serbia able to play at the same level as one of the best European national teams at this moment?

Jelena Erić: Romania is a high-quality team with top players in all positions, but I have great belief in the strength of my team. Serbia has some young, quality players who are playing in the EHF Champions League, such as Andrea Lekić, Sanja Damnjanović, and Dragana Cvijić.

With other, more experienced players mixed-in, such as Svetlana Ognjenović and Jelena Popović, I think that we can form a serious team which is ready to play against anyone. If we find all the pieces of our puzzle, and if we are ready to fight all the time, Serbia will be much stronger.

ehf-euro.com: The Serbian national team lost all their games at the EHF EURO 2008 and 2010. Do you think that it’s time for the first win and placement in the Main Round at the next EHF EURO in the Netherlands?

Jelena Erić: We still have one more year to work on that, so it’s still too early to say. Serbian girls will certainly have enough years and experience to make that happen. All of us have to believe. A place in the Main Round would be wonderful for us before we host the World Championship in 2013.

ehf-euro.com: Is it helpful to the Serbian NT, that several of the national team players play for HC Zaječar, the Serbian champions?

Jelena Erić: Five or six players from the club are included in the squad. It’s really important that some of the national team players can be together, work together every day, think about the NT, etc.

ehf-euro.com: How important is the Men’s EHF EURO 2012 in Serbia for the women’s game?

Jelena Erić: Of course, it’s of huge importance that we have such an event in Serbia. It’s a great opportunity to raise the interest for our sport, to get some new fans, and maybe the most important, media space. Some good results from the men’s team would help us in our preparations for World Championship 2013, for sure.

ehf-euro.com: Is the World Championship in 2013, in front of your home fans, reason enough for you, personally, to continue playing, and then to finish your career after that tournament?

Jelena Erić: The motivation is very strong. I want to play at that world event, but it’s still far away. Due to my age, I’m trying to stay healthy. If I don’t have problems with injuries it’s pretty obvious that I’ll finish my career in the best possible way – with my national team and the local fans...

Further Information

Find more information on the Women's EHF EURO 2012 Qualification HERE.

View more detailed information on the event on the Official EHF EURO 2012 Website.
www.ehf-euro.com/NED2012/

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