Coach Cirkovic leaves Eurofarm Rabotnik, Alusovski takes over

Former Macedonian international Stevce Alusovski has taken over as coach of HC Eurofarm Rabotnik, shortly after Djordje Cirkovic left the club following back-to-back defeats in the Men’s EHF Cup Group Phase.

The Serbian coach had made no secret of his disappointment after his team lost at home against Grundfos Tatabánya KC by 10 goals on Sunday evening. But he was not only bothered by the 31:21 defeat.

“I don’t want to work with the players who don’t want to fight,” Cirkovic said after the match. And it was not just an emotional outburst in the heat of the game, as the coach indeed resigned from his duties at the Bitola-based club the next day.

Eurofarm Rabotnik had also lost its opening game of the group phase - 24:21 against TSV Hannover-Burgdorf - but were otherwise enjoying an excellent season.

Reaching the group phase is the club’s best ever achievement on European level, and they are dominating the Macedonian domestic league with 13 wins and a draw from 14 matches.

The 46-year-old Alusovski ended his illustrious playing career six years ago, which included stints at Vardar and Metalurg. The left wing scored nearly 1,000 goals in over 200 matches for the national team.

Last season Alusovski coached Eurofarm Rabotnik’s local rivals, HC Pelister. His first match in charge of his new club is the EHF Cup game against RK Nexe in Croatia on Saturday.