Cupic: We aim to go our separate ways as winners

Macedonian powerhouse HC Vardar have made it to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 for the second year in a row. Unlike the previous season, when Vardar entered the final phase as the underdogs and sensationally raised the trophy, the pressure is on their side this year as the Skopje-based team have the opportunity to become the first team to defend an EHF Champions League title won in Cologne.

The reigning champions were superior throughout the whole group phase this season, and were rewarded with first place in Group A. The result meant that Raul Gonzalez’s squad skipped the Last 16 and proceeded straight to the quarter-finals.

“Last season, we surprised everyone with the achieved result, but the surprise effect was not applicable for this season because our opponents became aware of our capabilities,” says Vardar right wing Ivan Cupic, who aims to win his third consecutive Champions League title in Cologne, after taking the trophy with Kielce in 2016 then Vardar in 2017.

“Our aspirations were to finish first or second in the group and those were achieved. We managed to win the top position, which gave us time to prepare for the quarter-finals and also for the SEHA League Final 4.”

The German barrier in the quarter-finals – Kiel – were a tough challenge for Vardar, but regardless of the Macedonian team’s home defeat, they made it to Cologne after scoring one more goal in the away match than their opponents.

“In the quarter-finals, we had a tough opponent because Kiel played excellent in the last month. The match details were the only aspect that was winner-decisive, but in my opinion, we were slightly better and deserved to play in Cologne once more,” says Cupic.

A fast, unpredictable opponent leading their domestic league

In Cologne, the defending champions will meet a trio of French teams. The first obstacle on their way to the title is semi-final opponents Montpelier.

“French teams have dominated in the Champions League this year, especially PSG, but Montpelier is in our focus right now. They have been together for two, three years along with their coach, who has a clear vision of the goals regarding the success of his team,” says Cupic.

“They are playing great this season and that is why it is not a surprise that they have eliminated big teams like Barcelona and Flensburg. Montpellier hold first position in the French league and they play the best handball at the moment. Their game is fast and unpredictable, with aggressive defence. I’m sure we are going to have a tough match against this opponent.”

“Vardar have a generation that managed to win everything”

Last season, the Croatian wing became the first player to win back-to-back titles in Cologne, raising the trophy with Vardar after winning the title with Kielce in 2016. Cupic was the main actor in the 2017 final – it was thanks to his buzzer-beating goal in the last second that Vardar became the EHF Champions League winners.

Now, Cupic has the chance for another impressive achievement – winning the trophy three years in succession:

“This is a possibility, for my name to be written in handball history as a player who managed to win the Champions League three times in a row. However, the team has always been the priority for me and I would feel much happier if Vardar managed to win the title for two years in a row and achieve this success that no one has before. This would simply demonstrate that Vardar is a big team and the accomplishments of this generation would be unattainable in the near future.”

Vardar will face roster changes next season, as several players and coach Raul Gonzalez will leave Skopje after the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2018 in Cologne. However, this does not mean additional pressure prior to the final event.

“These players have been together with Raul Gonzalez for several years and we function very well on and off the court. Vardar have a generation that managed to win everything, and everybody wants another success. We aim to raise the trophy once more and to become the first team that has defended the title – and at the end of the season, went their separate ways as winners,” concludes Cupic.