Kamenica replaced as Zagreb coach by Zlatko Saracevic

With just two points from eight rounds of this season’s VELUX EHF Champions League, HC PPD Zagreb have parted ways with Kasim Kamenica.

Last weekend’s dramatic defeat against Nantes was the final straw for Kamenica as Zagreb find themselves bottom of Group A, two points behind the all-important 6th place, held currently by IFK Kristianstad.

“We want to thank coach Kamenica for the effort and the work he put into a demanding position. Mr. Kamenica took on a difficult task at the end of last season and led us into the new season.

“Unfortunately, the results and performances did not meet the expectations of the club’s management. We wish all the best to coach Kamenica in his future private and professional life,” explained the club’s general manager Bozidar Jovic.

New coach Zlatko Saracevic was presented on Tuesday afternoon. Saracevic has already had a spell as Zagreb’s assistant from 2010 to 2015 and was interim coach in 2014.

The 56-year-old took charge of Croatian 2nd division club Dubrovnik in 2016 and joined Lino Cervar as an assistant coach of the Croatian national team this year.

Immediate improvement needed

Saracevic will lead Zagreb on Thursday 23 November, when they host Barcelona in Arena Zagreb.

“I am aware what the future holds for me. Zagreb is always like that, they expect the most and we need to give our best in every match.

“Maybe sometimes we are not realistic, but when we enter the arena we need to win and be the best,” coach Saracevic said at Tuesday’s press conference.

“I know almost all the players from my time at the club and national team. They need to play better and their game must be better.

“Firstly, we need to find the reason why is that so, gather and solve the problem, because there is no time. We only have two trainings to prepare for Barcelona,” concluded Saracevic.

He will have tough task to get back into contention for a VELUX EHF Champions League Last 16 place, with two VELUX EHF Champions League matches left before the end of 2017, at home against Barcelona and Rhein-Neckar Löwen on 29 November.