03.09.2008, 10:20
Metalurg starts in Izmir

The FYR Macedonian champions visit to Izmir for the first leg of the CL qualification game.

Metalurg starts in Izmir

The second CL season in the history of Metalurg will start in Izmir, Turkey.

The FYR Macedonian champions made their debut in the 2006/2007 CL season. Their biggest achievement so far at the European competitions was reaching the EHF Cup quarterfinals last season.

This season they need to defeat Turkish champion Izmir to qualify for the CL group phase.

Reinforcements

Metalurg will start the new CL season with a new coach, Zvonko Sundovski from Pelister and FYR Macedonian national team. He is not the only new face in the FYR Macedonian team.

A planned new signing for the team, the Russian Sergey Pogorelov (34), spent only one week with Metalurg. He arrived as a big reinforcement, but did not pass the medical tests and he was released by the club. Instead of the 201 cm tall, former Russian national player, Metalurg signs a Serbian handballer, Aleksandar Stanoevic.

Serbian Stanoevic (198 cm tall) will play in right back position as one of four reinforcements together with goalkeeper Danilo Brestovac, wingers Vlado Nedanovski and Aleksandar Jovic, and back player Miki Ivanovic.

There were also few players to leave the team: Goce Makaloski, Slavisa Stoinovic and Filip Scepanovic.

Playing for Group C

The winner of Izmir vs Metalurg duel will play in Group C of the CL together with Kiel, Barcelona and Drammen.

First match between Turkish and Macedonian Champions will be played on Saturday at 17:00 in Izmir. Referees will be Patrick Hakansson and Maths Nilsson from Sweden.

TEXT: Goran Antevski and Ivan Ambros