Liščević: “We have nothing to lose”

The hosting nation of the next World Championship 2013, Serbia is with “one leg” already qualified for the Women’s EHF EURO 2012 in the Netherlands. 

After two opening wins over Greece and Portugal, there is no pressure before the crucial battles with Romania for the first place in the qualifying group. 

In that kind of atmosphere National Team coach Saša Bošković gives a chance to some younger prospects led by Metz Handball´s playmaker, the 22-year old Kristina Liscevic:

“Two wins on the beginning was just an overture for the near future, the matches against Romania. Greece and Portugal weren’t rivals on our level, but these matches were useful for good training, some tactical development with a new coach and atmosphere in the National Team after lost chance to play at the World Championship in Brazil. Practically, we are already at EHF EURO 2012, so we won’t have the pressure against Romania, because we have nothing to lose,” says Liščević.

ehf-euro.com: How do you see Serbian chances in the two March clashes against Romania?

Kristina Liščević: We will face one of the best European teams. These matches are our chance to enjoy in top handball and to raise our confidence. 

As I said, we have nothing to lose, but that isn’t a reason not to try to win. A better position before the Group draw is something what we wish. We are looking for some “weaker” rival in the Netherlands as you know that on the last two EHF EURO competitions we didn’t score any points in the Preliminaries.

ehf-euro.com:Serbia´s handball capital, Zaječar will be the host city of the match against Romania. As we know, there is always hot atmosphere with 3000 vociferous fans. Could this special support break the Romanians´ resistance?

Kristina Liščević: According to our mentality, we are 50% better with that “wings”. We will play in front of our fans, friends and families and this is a huge motivation.

ehf-euro.com: At the “Carpathian Cup” in November 2011, Romania were the clearly better team, as they won by 37:18. That is probably something what isn’t a real balance of power between two teams. How do you reflect that game?

Kristina Liščević: It’s not, for sure. We played without some important players, our leader, Andrea Lekić, goalkeeper, Katarina Tomašević, Dijana Števin etc. 

In those critical moments, we felt how much we missed them. However with all players together we form a fantastic team and I am fully convinced that we will prove that in the future.

ehf-euro.com: You had amazing first part of the season in Macedonian HC Metalurg, now, also, a good start in French Metz Handball. At that “Carpathian Cup”, you were voted for the Best Player of the Tournament. How do you see your place in the National Team?

Kristina Liščević: My obligation and honor is to play as best as I can for Serbia, but our coach has to find the best solution for winning a medal! 

It’s a big pleasure to play for the country, even more, when your National Team has big ambitions. 

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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