17.09.2007, 11:56
Maida Arslanagic: No unbeatable teams

The new Croatian star of Cementos Ribarroja talks to Eurohandball.com.

Maida Arslanagic: No unbeatable teams

Eurohandball.com talks to Croatian national player, Maida Arslanagic, left back of Cementos La Union Ribarroja. This will be her first season in the CL.

The 23-year old left back is a new Ribarroja player. She arrives from Lokomotiva Zagreb where she won Croatian championship and Croatian cup. Now she targets Spanish and European titles.

Eurohandball.com: How do you feel in your new team and new city?

Maida Arslanagic: I always wanted to live and play handball in Spain. Now my wish has become reality. I feel like every other person would feel when their dreams become reality – I’m happy and satisfied.

My team mates are really great; they help me a lot, especially with Spanish language which is improving day by day. Valencia is a city with a lot to do, it is impossible to be bored.

Eurohandball.com: What are your expectations in your very first Champions League season?

Maida Arslanagic: When I decided to go abroad, my first priority was to find a club that plays in a strong domestic league as well as in the CL. I was looking for a club where I will have a chance to play. After considering the possibilities, I chose Ribarroja because they have all I wanted. In my first CL season I expect a lot. I want to make good results and a positive experience.

Eurohandball.com: In Group A, Ribarrroja will meet Podravka Vegeta. You know all their players very well, but they know you also very well. Do you think it is harder for Podravka to play against you or for you to play against Podravka?

Maida Arslanagic: What can I say about Podravka? Just when I thought that I got rid of them, they are here again (laughing). I didn't even settle down here in Spain, and I’m going back home (laughing). But seriously: I respect Podravka as a team, especially now that they have a new coach. They have changed, but I have changed too. Ribarroja is a serious and a much more professional club then my former club With Lokomotiva I had many tough matches against Podravka in the Croatian Championship and Croatian Cup. Those matches were really hard physically and mentally as well. The two clubs are eternal rivals in Croatian Championship. So, I think it would be easier for me to play against Podravka now, than in Lokomotiva.

Eurohandball.com: Do you think Ribarroja are able to make it to the CL finals? Which opponents would you like to avoid?

Maida Arslanagic: I don't like to think much about the future. Of course I would like to play in CL finals, but we take one step at a time. The first CL match is in Koprivnica, but before that we have to play many other matches here in the Spanish Championship. We have a goal, and we will approach it step by step. The thing is that our group is extremely tough. If somebody had asked me before, my wish would have been to avoid Slagelse and Győr at all cost. But, now, there is not much we can do about it. We will give our best and everything is possible in handball.

There are no more unbeatable teams or weak teams. All CL teams are pretty equal and the final result always depends on the current form of the teams on a given day. If you have a bad day when nothing seems to work well – even if you are the best in the world – you lose.

TEXT: Ivan Ambros