Bombac: It feels like I have returned home

After scoring 101 goals for MOL-Pick Szeged three seasons ago, Slovenian centre back Dean Bombac moved to the reigning VELUX EHF Champions League winners Kielce, with a view towards being the long-term solution in Talant Dujshebaev's team.

Injuries hampered his progress and he seemed to lose some of his power in attack in this new environment.

Watch the full interview with Bombac in the ehfTV Rewind magazine on Sunday night.

Now a move back to Hungary and to Szeged is an opportunity for Bombac to rediscover his old world-class form.

“I could have stayed in Kielce. They were satisfied with my handball, we signed a new three-year contract. I hadn't scores as much as in Szeged before, but that was not that important to Talant. Sometimes he was happier if I did not score at all,” Bombac says with a smile.

Your move to Poland was described as one of the top transfers of 2016. Your return to Szeged was not quite as prominent. What did you learn in Kielce?

"It was a big experience for me. Juan Carlos Pastor and Talant Dujshebaev have somewhat similar handball philosophies, with some differences in the details. Playing for the champions was a huge thing, being surrounded by top players. Dujshebaev gave me a lot and when I decided to leave, they did not try to stop me. Something was pulling me back to Szeged."

Perhaps the Hungarian fans played a role in this? Even when you wore the yellow jersey, they posted older Szeged photos of you on social network, showing the huge impact you had while playing for Szeged.

"I could feel their love and respect. Sometimes I think to myself: 'What did I do to deserve it?'”

MOL-Pick Szeged made a good start in the new season. Two matches, two wins, both hard fought  and won in the final minutes. What do you make of the start?

"We have not played our best, yet. That is a good virtue of top teams, to win such matches. We can do even better for sure, there are a lot of things we can improve. We can play faster, scoring easy goals, and there are reserves in defence."

How does the fact that Szeged are Hungarian champions reflect on the court and in the stands?

"That was a huge boost for the club. The last domestic title was eleven years ago, Veszprém were bigger, we must admit. The fans are aware that last season was a huge success and this team we have now is capable of retaining the title.

Veszprém are very strong, full of stars, but this guarantees nothing. Both teams can be very successful in Europe, but maybe the time has come for Szeged to reach Cologne."

What makes you feel that way?

"We have a complete roster. Good choices in every position, we have enough self-esteem and experience. We understand each other on the court, work well together and we can be even better. The fans are a huge support, so all the ingredients are here, we just have to spice it up on the court."

What makes Szeged the best choice for your career?

"It is hard to explain. I feel a different energy here, not better, just different. Maybe it was reflected in my handball over the last couple of years, I just feel different here, more at home."