Countdown part 21: HC Metalurg Skopje

Their home arena is a fortress commanded by "minister of defence" goalkeeper Darko Stanić, and their coach is highly experienced – all those ingredients combine to give Metalurg Skopje a great chance to be just as successful as the previous season in the year of their 40th anniversary.

After winning their third straight double as Macedonian champions and cup winners, Metalurg had no problems in qualifying for the Group Phase. Just as they did in 2011 the team of coach Lino Červar beat Haslum in the final – but in contrast to the previous season, this time they had a clear 30:20 win despite the match being played away in Norway.

In the VELUX EHF Champions League 2011/12 season Metalurg were one of the surprise packages and reached the Last 16, but they did not progress further following a close defeat to RK Zagreb.

So the first part of the knockout stage is their minimum objective this season again, but Metalurg dream of doing even better and reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in club history.

The squad nearly remained the same after Stanić confirmed to stay at Skoppje and not leave to join German side Göppingen. Instead of the goalkeeper, Žarko Marković was transferred to the two times EHF Cup winner. And just before the qualification tournament, Milan Vučičević left Metalurg just a short time after arriving from Kolubara before the start of the preparation.

Team captain Naumče Mojsovski is aiming high: "Our group is completely open for all six teams. So, I hope we can repeat our results from the previous season and spring some surprises. I think we have the strength to achieve a good result."

Three questions to coach Lino Červar:
ehfCL.com: What are your expectations for the upcoming season of the VELUX EHF Champions League?
Lino Červar: I believe we have enough quality to be among the four best teams in our group, even if it is a tough one without any weak opponents. Chambery are stronger than before thanks to their newcomers, and we all know what role France play in the world of handball. Kielce have also improved their team with quality players, and Gorenje are the champion of Slovenia and we have a lot of respect for this team. St Petersburg are a combined team consisting of young and experienced players, and we should not underestimate Russian handball. And Silkeborg have a well-balanced team with the strongest defence players in Denmark – the home of the European champions and a country with a long handball tradition.

ehfCL.com: What does participating in the VELUX EHF Champions League mean to you and your club?
Lino Červar: For me working for Metalurg is very challenging. We are not the richest club, we don’t have budgets like others, but we surprised everyone with our ranking last year. It is a big challenge and big honour to compete with all those big European clubs. Also it is very important for Metalurg to participate in the VELUX EHF Champions League because it contributes a lot to the Macedonian handball.

ehfCL.com: What teams are your personal favourites to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4 and for winning the title this season – and why?
Lino Červar: The same as in the past year, the competition will be decided among Kiel, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

HC Metalurg Skopje (MKD)

Qualification for the 2012/2013 VELUX EHF Champions League season: Winner of the Qualification Tournament 2, champion of FYR Macedonia
Newcomers: Tihomir Doder (HC Vardar Pro), Milan Vučičević (Kolubara)
Left the club: Žarko Marković (FA Göppingen), Milan Vučičević (Kolubara), Nikola Stojčevski (Qatar), Jovica Mladenovski (Tinex Prolet)
Coach: Lino Červar, since 2009

VELUX EHF Champions League records:
Participations (including 2012/2013 season): 5
Last 16 (1): 2011/2012
Group Matches (2): 2006/2007, 2008/2009
Qualification (1): 2010/2011

Other EC records:
9 participations in other EC

Macedonian champion: 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012
Macedonian Cup winner: 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

Further information

Find more information about HC Metalurg Skopje HERE
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