31.05.2007, 02:54
Zdravko Zovko: new coach of Podravka Vegeta

The Croatian women's champion signs new coach from Hungarian Veszprém. Zovko must bring spectators and successes back to the club.

Zdravko Zovko: new coach of Podravka Vegeta

Zdravko Zovko, former MKB Veszprém coach will be the new coach of Podravka Vegeta. The Croatian expert is highly appreciated in men’s handball.

Time for changes

After Cup Winners’ Cup Final in 2005 and the EHF Cup Final in 2006, the Koprivnica handball fans had great expectations before the season. At the end, however, these expectations turned out to be in vain. There were many injuries and the results were not coming. The overall bad atmosphere at the club meant that coach Josip Sojat had to step down.

The replacement, Zovko, is one of the best Croatian coaches. He won several medals with men and women teams as well. He won two Champion’s Cup titles with the men’s team of Zagreb, but he was also successful with Celje and Veszprém.

Koprivnica were very determined to bring him back to Croatian handball. After long negotiations, Zovko finally signed a one-year contract.

Back on top

“The club has great ambitions for the next season and wants to return to the top of European handball. My main task is to attract fans and fill our hall. Every spectator is just as important as every player,” said the newly appointed coach.

Podravka Vegeta won the Champions League in 1996. Expectations are great and the responsibility of the new coach is also enormous. Podravka have many talented players who are able to achieve good results.The only thing to do is to let them play. With all the experience and successful record of Zovko, he is the right man for that job.

TEXT: Ivan Ambros