Damnjanović starts on a high

The top scorer in last season’s Women’s EHF Champions League Group Matches, 25-year-old left back Sanja Damnjanović in fantastic style, scoring another nine goals for her new club RK Podravka Vegeta in Croatia. Despite losing 19:24 to Györ, they played well above expectations and almost sprung a surprise win over their Hungarian hosts who were a clear favourite. ehfCL.com talked with the Serbian star after a solid start and before Sunday match against Krim Ljubljana.

ehfCL.com: Podravka lost in Hungary, but you and your team-mates have to be satisfied with your performance against one of the strongest teams in Europe – last season Women’s EHF Champions League finalist Györ.
Sanja Damnjanović: I think that the final score doesn’t reflect the real situation on the court. We began the match very well – we defended very well, and were equal with them. The key moment of the match was a period when we were without three players. At that point, the Hungarian side took a crucial advantage. They also had more players in rotation, which proved decisive. We could be satisfied after all, but of course, Podravka want to play even better.

ehfCL.com:  Your second match of the Group Matches could be decisive to your ambitions: Top Slovenian team, Krim Mercator is coming to Koprivnica.
Sanja Damnjanović: Yes, this is really important match for us. We will give 100 per cent to win this game. Krim is a strong rival, but victory is necessary for our self-confidence. Apart from that, we just lost to them last season which cost us a place in the top eight. Now, I hope it is time for us.

ehfCL.com: How far can Podravka can go this season?
Sanja Damnjanović: Our goal is to qualify for the top eight, but if we don’t make that, third place and a spot in the late stages of the Cup Winners’ Cup will be a good consolation. I can’t say whether that is realistic because our group is one of the toughest, so let’s wait a little bit.

ehfCL.com: You personally have made a good start as you did last season, when you finished as top scorer after Group Matches.
Sanja Damnjanović: I am very satisfied with my performance in Hungary. Of course I would like to repeat last season, but more than that I wish that the team makes progress and finds a place in the Main Round.

ehfCL.com: Who are the biggest favorites to win Women’s EHF Champions League 2012/2013?
Sanja Damnjanović: The biggest favorites to take the trophy are Oltchim, Györ and Larvik. It’s a long season ahead, so it will be interesting to see whether some other teams will come good and try to challenge them.

Further information
Find more information about RK Podravka Vegeta here
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