25.06.2007, 04:00
Balic with Extra Motivation

Croatian star, Ivano Balic, was voted World Handball Player of the Year 2006. He says that the award gives him a lot of motivation for the upcoming season when Portland will play for the Champions League again.

Balic with Extra Motivation

Croatian international, Ivano Balic, was voted 2006 World Player of the Year by the readers of IHF’s World Handball Magazine. Balic gets this award for the second time after 2003, when he signed for Pamplona. The vote was very equal between Portland’s handballer and the German international, Florian Kehrmann.

“It came as a real surprise. I didn’t expect this award because there are very good players who could have won it. Earlier I hoped to get this prize, but now I did not.” Balic is the second handballer to receive the award twice (2003 and 2006) after Talant Dujshebaev (1994 and 1996 as Teka Cantabria player).

An award for the season

The last one was the best season for Ivano Balic in Portland. The club was not able to win a title, but the performance of the Croatian player was really satisfactory.

The Pamplona fans and managers were hoping to see Balic in their team. This was his best season at the club.

“I’m really happy because it is a very important award. It rewards all the work we have done during the season. It means that people think that I performed at a high level. All the players nominated could have won because they are fantastic handballers. It is incredible to get it twice.”

Portland did not win any title, so this award is even more valuable. It is easier to select a player who won Champions League or national league. “I hope to play well next season again and improve my performance. This award gives a lot of motivation for me to work hard.”

TEXT: Fernando Urra Goñi