16.11.2007, 10:43
Croatians with the home advantage

Podravka will host CL winner Slagelse. The Croatians have already defeated the title holders - Viborg last season - and now they prepare for the same.

Croatians with the home advantage

Podravka are known as a team that always win at home no matter who come to town. In the season 2006/2007 they defeated Viborg at home – CL winners of 2005/2006 –, now they are determined to defeat Slagelse – CL winners of 2006/2007.

The Croatians have two points with two home matches left to play. Their original plan was to win all home matches and win the away match in Ribarroja. With eight points they could continue in the Main Round. So far, their plan seems to be working.

Ikast defeated Slagelse in the last round of the Danish championship by 24:27. The top scorer of Slagelse was Ana Batinic with 10 goals. Emiliya Tourey is the most prolific in the CL with 25 goals in three matches.

Heads put together

Assistant coach of Podravka, Mato Matijevic, is determined to win on Saturdays after analysing Slagelse well.

“We are not interested in the goal difference. The priority is to win and we will win. Our fans are always our 8th player and together with them we will always win at home. In crucial and important moments like this, we always put our heads together and we get the strength that leads us to victory.”

In the first match against Slagelse in Denmark, the Croatians were scared because it was their first away match this season. A clear head is always needed against Leganger in the goal. In fact, she was the biggest problem for the Croatian team.

“So far our only problem was our shooting percentage, but for such an important match at home, with great support from our fans, all the players will have tremendous motivation and a fighting spirit. In moments like those you simply can't miss a shot like we did in Denmark.”

The match between Podravka Vegeta and Slagelse will be played on Saturday at 16:30 in Koprivnica. The referees will be Miroslaw Baum and Marek Goralczyk from Poland. HRT2 will broadcast the match live.

TEXT: Ivan Ambros