Kielce's playmaker will be the first Slovenian player at the VELUX EHF FINAL4
Barcelona have their plans, we have ours, Zorman warns
Vive Targi Kielce eagerly await their maiden VELUX EHF FINAL4 appearance, amongst them Uroš Zorman, who will be the first Slovenian player in the history of the tournament.
The 33-year old playmaker is the only one in the Polish squad who knows what it is like to be on the European throne. He has already won the EHF Champions league three times - with Celje (2004) and Ciudad Real (2008, 2009).
"To be completely honest, we haven't quite grasped the fact that we will be playing in the FINAL4 soon. So far we have been totally focused on domestic competitions," says Zorman, who has enjoyed a near perfect Polish campaign with victory in both the league and the cup.
"We have no major injury problems, only minor bruises but that is something to be expected at the end of the season. The mental attitude in the squad corresponds with the results. We are on a high. The expectations before the final tournament are growing."
"The feeling in the public is similar. There are cameras everywhere, following our every move, so for sure this is a huge thing for us and for Polish fans."
Vive Targi Kielce are supposed to enjoy enormous support. All the allocated ticket for the Poles have been reportedly sold out, and the fans are now employing all their skills to acquire additional tickets.
"Wherever we play in Poland the atmosphere is great. The derbies with Płock are something else all together, so I am sure that the fans will give us excellent support in Köln," thinks Zorman who also has no doubt that Vive Targi Kielce is capable of something big come matchday.
"Some people have already said, that we didn't deserve to be in the FINAL4, that we have had an easy draw and such nonsense. It is interesting that such statements are coming from people, who have yet to win anything."
"It is true that our club lacks certain things in the tradition department, but we have an excellent, experienced squad and pose a threat to anybody. The club is working hard to be a part of the the elite for years to come in all aspects of the game."
Kielce's semifinal opponent, FC Barcelona, is a slight favourite in Zorman's opinion, but only because the Catalans have been on the top so many times and their supposed match-up with THW Kiel is dubbed the greatest final possible by some.
"They have their plans, we have ours. It will all boil down to who will be better on the day. A lot of small factors will be decisive - concentration, shot conversion, goalkeepers' form -, and I firmly believe anything can happen. But I can promise one thing: we will do our absolute best to put the cherry on top of an already successful season."
TEXT:
Grega Sever / br