01.10.2008, 11:30
Zovko's special preparation

Podravka coach Zdravko Zovko tells Eurohandball.com about the special preparation for the CL qualifications tournament in Estella.

Zovko's special preparation

Podravka coach Zdravko Zovko tells Eurohandball.com about the special preparation for the CL qualifications tournament in Estella. The Croatian champion Podravka Vegeta will be battling against Itxako, Leipzig and Ormi Patras for the first that grants a CL place.

Coach of Podravka Vegeta has good opinion about his rivals in Estella.

“I can say that Itxako, Leipzig and Podravka Vegeta are on the same level. Maybe we have more experience. Ormi Patras, the champions of Greece, should not be underestimated either. They took the first place at the qualification tournament in Nis with three victories from three matches.”

This will not be an easy job for the Croatians:

“We have a really tough group. Itxako and Leipzig are good teams with great experience from European competitions. Both teams made good results in the EHF Cup competition: Itxako played the finals last season and Leipzig reached the semi-finals in 2005. And also Itxako have the advantage to play in front of their own crowd, which is not irrelevant.”

Three matches in three days – the key

“It will be very important how teams will react on this three-day tournament, playing three matches in a row.”

To prepare his team in the best possible way for this three-day challenge, Zovko organised test before the tournament in Estella. On 19-21 September Podravka played three matches in three days and won all three of them.

On Friday Podravka Vegeta defeated Lokomotiva by 35:23 in the 3rd round of the WRHL. On Saturday they Krim Mercator by 36:27 in 4th round of WRHL and on Sunday Podravka once again defeated Lokomotiva by 35:27 in the 3rd round of the Croatian Championship.

Zovko’s plan is simple:

“We have three matches in three days and it is clear that we will need to perform on absolute top level to qualify.”

TEXT: Ivan Ambros