I came to Vardar with a goal, Penezic says

After some rocky group matches and a less-than-ideal start to the main round, WHC Vardar SCBT pulled themselves together, reaching the MVM EHF FINAL4 following a victory against defending champions Győr in the quarter-final. One of the players instrumental for the team has been Croatian left back Andrea Penezic who scored 89 goals to date.

ehfcl.com: After an intense Women’s EHF Champions League season, you find yourselves among the four best teams. What makes WHC Vardar SCBT stick out in comparison to other teams?

Andrea Penezic: We’ve grown accustomed to each other here. I knew most of these girls from before. For example, Andrea Lekic from Krim, as well as Barbi (Barbara Lazovic) who came with me from Ljubljana to join Vardar. It’ a great chemistry we have in Skopje, as we are one big family. The team shows great togetherness, and that has been something that defined the team from the moment I arrived.

ehfcl.com: Your first match at the MVM EHF FINAL4 will be against Buducnost - a reprise of the last year’s semi-final and a difficult opponent.

Andrea Penezic: We know Buducnost very well. They are a tough defending, highly organised team and are always among the favourites to win the trophy. But I feel they can be defeated – everyone can. Our win against Győr made us believe we can win against any team.

ehfcl.com: You are no stranger to being among the best four teams, having played the semi-finals in the 2012/13 season. Your RK Krim Mercator side then lost on aggregate to Larvik, does it make you more motivated to play in the final this year round?

Andrea Penezic: I knew exactly where I wanted to take my career next. I came to Vardar with a goal - to win the Champions League and I feel this is the place and the team with which I can accomplish that.

It is my first FINAL4 as a player - but I was at last year’s FINAL4 in Budapest, albeit only as a spectator. At that time, I had already agreed move to Vardar and had a big desire to be part of that event next season.

ehfcl.com: With Indira Kastratovic and Jan Pytlick on the bench, Vardar are coached by two very distinct approaches. What did the arrival of Jan Pytlick bring to the team, and how does it fit with the methods of Indira Kastratovic?

Andrea Penezic: Our biggest strength at Vardar is the team spirit. This is the ‘Balkan connection’ we have here. This is greatly due to Indira (Kastratovic) having a lot of patience and trust, as well as being a great motivator.

The arrival of Jan (Pytlick) has given us a lot of tactical awareness and further developed that part of our game. I feel we are a perfect tactical mix of Balkan and Scandinavian handball styles – that is one of our biggest strengths.

ehfcl.com: Playing your first MVM EHF FINAL4, how do you feel about the event itself?

Andrea Penezic: I played the semi-finals with Krim in 2013, but it was a different competition back then. Now you have a neutral court, and one match decides everything. Playing that way it is a bit more exhausting, but better in my opinion. I really think the FINAL4 brings a new dimension to women’s handball.

ehfcl.com: You took a very short while to adapt to Vardar, and here you are playing your most efficient season so far in the Women’s EHF Champions League, scoring 89 goals. How happy are you with your form, as well as team’s performances throughout the season?

Andrea Penezic: I’m always very self-critical. That’s the way I look at my team as well. We have been doing well, but there is some room for improvement. I’m happy that our defence is now much stronger, more aggressive. Good defence is what wins you games. Performance-wise, we’ve had a few setbacks regarding our line players for the better part of the season.

However, I feel Anja (Althaus) blends very well into the team with her performances of late, and she is that missing piece of the puzzle we needed. There is a lot of potential in this team. We have to make sure we play great handball consistently, match after match, and I think we are well on our way to do so this season.

ehfcl.com: Your home win against Győr is perhaps the most memorable moment of your season so far. The fans in Skopje created a great atmosphere. Do you expect the fans to come to Budapest as well?

Andrea Penezic: The atmosphere we have at the Jane Sandanski Arena is exhilarating. Our fans give us special strength. You saw that when we won against Győr. I hope our fans will come to Budapest to support us. They would help us win, and create a wonderful atmosphere for everyone to enjoy. It would really mean a lot to us.

ehfcl.com: Having come so close, you must have given at least a thought about how it would feel like to win the trophy?

Andrea Penezic: Surely when you come so close, you can’t help but dream of winning the trophy - but we are fully aware it’s not there yet. There is a match against Buducnost that we are completely focused on right now. We are confident in our handball, and have all the experience we need. Our players are very individually skilled, but we play and win as a team.

Check the gallery from the photo shoot session with Andrea Penezic here.