Djuric takes Serbia hot seat

The Serbian Handball Federation decided to entrust the legendary Dragica Djuric with the women’s national team until the end of Women’s EHF EURO 2016 qualifications, following their decision to terminate Sasa Boskovic’s four-and-a-half-year-long tenure.

Dragica Djuric is a household name in Serbian handball, having 202 caps for the national team, representing the likes of Kometal, Buducnost, Hypo and Zürich throughout her playing career.

The legendary goalkeeper’s most notable achievements (as a player) include a gold medal at the Olympic Games 1984 (with Yugoslavia), and wining the Champions Cup in 1991 with Lützellinden.

Djuric is, however, no stranger to the Serbian national team set-up, having been an integral part of the coaching staff since March 2012 - as the goalkeeping coach.

“The driving force behind my decision to accept this difficult task is my love for handball.

“Everything I’ve done in my career, I did out of the passion for the sport and love for my country - this will be no different,” said Djuric.

Against the clock

However, Djuric takes over in troubled times, following the underwhelming series of results at the last two events, resulting in failure to secure the Olympic Games qualification berth.

“Many people have called to congratulate, but I personally find the current situation not particularly flattering.

“It is actually very distressing to find the team in such state, but I am aware it is my responsibility to solve this difficult situation,” said the 53-year-old Djuric.

It was clear from day one it will be no easy task to address a number of on-going problems with the team.

Time comes in short supply for Serbia, with the first of the two matches against Czech Republic coming up in less than two weeks (9 March).

“We are working against the clock. We will have only one training session before our trip to Czech Republic - that’s how difficult it is to prepare.

“Therefore, we must rely on the continuity, keep up what we have started at the World Championship and work from there,” said Djuric.

Star quartet overlooked

However, the biggest issue is certainly the status of the four leading names - Andrea Lekic (below), Sanja Damnjanovic, Dragana Cvijic and Katarina Tomasevic.

The star quartet left the national team camp in March 2015, having rejected to play under the now former coach Boskovic.

As a result, Serbian Handball Federation decided to take disciplinary actions against all four players, which further complicates their involvement.

“The situation (regarding the four players) is very delicate. There is an on-going disciplinary proceeding, and my hands are tied.

“I simply cannot count on them at this point,” admitted Djuric.

“Moreover, there are players who deservedly make the core of the current setup, and they have done well to earn their status.

“I am aware of the individual quality (of the four players), but I must think of the entire team first.

“Nobody is more important than the team,” said Djuric.

Creating the ‘cult of the national team’

As a member of the backroom staff, Djuric contributed to Serbia’s biggest successes to date – silver medal at the World Championship 2013, fourth place at the Women’s EHF EURO 2012, as well as gold medal at the Mediterranean Games – experience which is bound to add stability in these turbulent times.

Moreover, the entire backroom staff, including Zivojin Maksic as the assistant coach, as well as Jelena Eric as team coordinator has remained unchanged.

“I am happy to have been given the full backing from the coaching staff, as well as the players I have been in contact with.

“We have seen the end of a very successful period, which is never easy.

“However, we (the coaching staff) make all our decisions together, and it is up to us to come through these difficult times as an improved team.

“We will insist on a disciplined approach. Our main idea is to build the ‘cult of the national team’, which will instil a strong sense of pride onto the players representing the national crest,” said Djuric, before briefly commenting on the changes she will look to implement.

“The first signs of what I intend to do will be apparent from my provisional list of 28 names.

“Those will be all the players I count upon at the moment – there will be surprises,” concluded Djuric.