Dream becomes reality for Metalurg

From humble beginnings ten years ago when Metalurg began to grow and chase a dream, they have not only qualified for the VELUX EHF Champions League but are chasing a spot in the Last 16 having won their opening four matches.

Their most recent victory was against St Petersburg, and the Russians left Skopje 13 goals down (32:19) as Metalurg gave the world a big sign of their sparkling form.

Having struggled in the past to find backers, Metalurg have now got a sponsor which has enabled them to inject more cash into the team than anyone else in the domestic championship and sign some great new talent.

Three years ago Croatian coach Lino Červar came to the club, one of the most decorated coaches in the world who strengthened the already established foundations of the club and began to sign quality players and attract younger players from handball schools.

Metalurg players make up almost the whole Macedonian national team, and their results are no longer a surprise as before. Now the team remains largely the same, and each season only one or two new players bring freshness and quality - this season Tihomir Doder and Renato Vugrinec signed up.

“It is difficult to accept the role of favourite - it brings pressure,” said pivot Vančo Dimovski. “It is easier when no one expects you to be the best, and the results are coming by themselves.”

In addition to being one of four teams with maximum points, Metalurg is among six unbeaten teams - and the team from Skopje has one of the best defences, having conceded just 95 goals.

“For the first time against St Petersburg we entered the field as favourites, and we felt it immediately,” said Červar. “We need time to get used to being in this position, but we are taking it step by step.

“This is the start of your dreams, no one believed that we could have eight points. If things continue like this, somewhere around New Year we could be celebrating reaching the Last 16."

Four teams in the VELUX EHF Champions League currently have maximum points - Metalurg, Barcelona, ​​Veszprém and Kielce. Only Barcelona have a better defence than Metalurg (91 goals), and behind Metalurg are Kielce (97 goals) as the only other club under 100 goals conceded.

Almost the entire Macedonian national team plays for Metalurg, and for the next two EHF EURO 2014 qualification games versus Switzerland and Portugal, head coach Zvonko Šundovski has called up 13 players from Macedonian champions.

Among them is left wing Stevče Alušovski, their most experienced player and the only one who has played in all important games for Macedonia since their independence in 1991.

"This season has been an improvement on the previous year,” he said. “The atmosphere is great because the team is the same as last year with Tihomir Doder and Renato Vugrinec who gave more quality to our performances.

In the past he has played for major Macedonian clubs such as like Jafa Promet Resen, Pelister Bitola and Vardar Skopje, but Alušovski revealed the secret of success at Metalurg.

"Metalurg are a special team because very quickly, in just a few years they have learned to follow modern templates of work. Everyone knows their job. Behind this successful story is a tale of hard work, starting from training, organisational structure, a stable sponsor, and excellent domestic players reinforced with top internationals.

“Both me and everyone at the club expect to make at least one step further than last year and reach the last eight.”

Coach Červar always wanted his team to play well in defence, which will help them improve in attack. Universal players are always highly prized, and Metalurg have several.

“For me the key thing to getting in the team is good performance in defence,” said Červar. “I'm hungry for a win, so I want the team to have the same appetite. Every game should be a new challenge, a chance to fight for the team. Only by doing this will we get good results. But I never rest on my laurels, I’m always looking for more!”

Naumče Mojsovski, Filip Mirkulovski and Darko Stanić are always expected to be the engines of the team, but now others players are also showing great work rate, like Dejan Manaskov, Miladin Kozlina and new reinforcement Renato Vugrinec.

Although he is 38 years old, Vugrinec scored 11 goals from 14 attempts in the game against St Petesburg, and Červar added: “Vugrinec needs time to settle. I'm glad that we have found a player that can fit into our concept. I am happy that the fans enjoy watching him.

“If I was a player I would like to play in front of this audience, as 7,000 people cheer and support you. They're always our eighth player."

Further information
Find more information about HC Metalurg HERE
Join the growing community of handball fans of Facebook!
www.facebook.com/ehf.champions.league