12.01.2009, 02:02
Zovko's Podravka back in the elite

The work of Zdravko Zovko bore fruit: Podravka qualify for the main round after 10 years.

Zovko's Podravka back in the elite

Croatian handball fans waited 10 long years for this: Zdravko Zovko took Podravka Vegeta back to handball elite as the team reach main round.

With the victory in Togliatti on Saturday, the Croatians made a big step. But when Oltchim Valcea defeated Larvik on Sunday, Koprivnica could start to celebrate.

Crucial away victory

In the second half of the game in Togliatti, the Croatians secured their win and got away with a 28:34 success.

Penezić was excellent in defence and also the best scorer with 11 goals. She was understandably happy after the game:

“We won because we had an excellent defence. We made many technical mistakes, but the most important is that we won. I’m very satisfied with my performance, finally I scored goals. Ungureanu was also great, in fact the entire defence was fine.”

A victory in Russia after 15 hours of travel and three hours of time difference is a clear success. Even Zdravko Zovko was satisfied:

“In the first 15 minutes we didn't save a single shot. When Ungureanu entered the court it changed and we managed to take the lead. The most important is that we played like a real team. It’s not important who scored more goals or who played better; the most important was to win and we made it. We will travel to Valcea with the same plan.”

Since Oltchim Valcea defeated Larvik, Podravka Vegeta already secured main round. The team of Zdravko Zovko will travel to Valcea with nothing to lose, but with a great desire to get even for the defeat suffered in Koprivnica.

TEXT: Ivan Ambros