Radičević: "To entertain the spectators"

Montenegrin Radičević arrived at Hungarian champions Győri Audi ETO last summer to replace Slovakian Katarína Mravíková. Already in the preparation matches she became a favourite of the green and white supporters. The right-winger shows her emotions fully on court when scoring goals and giving assists to her colleagues. 

In an exclusive interview with ehfCL.com, the 25-year-old talks about her new home, Győr, the team´s performance, and her own performance in the EHF Champions League. She also gives an insight into possible semi-final and final opponents in the prestigious tournament.

ehfCL.com: So far you´ve won all four matches in the Main Round in an impressive manner. Are you 100% satisfied with the team´s results?

Jovanka Radičević: Naturally I´m very happy, it´s a great pleasure to belong to the Top4 of the EHF Champions League, two rounds before the conclusion of the Main Round. 

ehfCL.com: How about your personal game, are you pleased with your own performance and do you see potential to improve more and more?

Jovanka Radičević: So far I´m pleased with my contribution, workload and playing time. Furthermore, I´m also satisfied with new coach Karl Erik Bøhn, and his way of preparing us for important matches. This all makes me very pleased and gives me the extra push.

ehfCL.com: One thing has become a personal trademark, namely, your excited celebration after each goal, where you raise your hands, scream loudly and look to the spectators. Is this celebration an extra motivation for you and your colleagues?

Jovanka Radičević: I certainly hope it is! I always enjoy scoring goals and giving my team-mates assists and then having contact with the audience. I want them to be awake and entertained throughout the whole 60 minutes, as they are important for my self-confidence.

ehfCL.com: How do you feel in Győr and how do you get along with the other ETO players?

Jovanka Radičević: The city of Győr is great, and I feel very much at home here. I’ve been accepted by everyone at the club and I´m very satisfied.

ehfCL.com: Compared to your late 2011 performance it looks like you´re playing more freely and with lots of self-confidence. Both factors mean that your performance is getting better and better. Can you confirm that, and what has changed since the arrival of new coach Karl Erik Bøhn?

Jovanka Radičević: I can absolutely confirm this, as since the arrival of our new trainer the team is somehow much different. I personally feel more free and confident under Karl Erik´s coaching. 

He is a particularly good person and a real handball expert. His training sessions are fantastic, you can learn something new each time, and everything is much more positive nowadays.

ehfCL.com: Next up are the matches against both finalists of last year´s edition, Itxako and Larvik. Győri Audi ETO are already qualified for the Main Round, so what are your expectations about the last two matches, will you and the team take them seriously, bearing in mind you´re already in the semi-final?

Jovanka Radičević: We approach every game very seriously and with the intention to win, no matter what ranking we stand at in the group, or how many games are yet to be played.

ehfCL.com: There, most possibly Oltchim Vâlcea will await you, and with a victory you might meet your former club Budućnost in the finals. Have you played with the thought of playing in a final against them, and what would it mean for you to meet the Montenegrin champions in the two-game duel?

Jovanka Radičević: It would be ideal to reach the finals with Győri Audi ETO and meet my former club Budućnost! What will happen on the road there, we have yet to see. It would be a dream come true to play in front of our dedicated spectators and win the title! This is the goal I’m working towards every day with my colleagues.