07.09.2009, 05:06
Vardar earn CL place

The FYR Macedonian champions return to the elite.

Vardar earn CL place

For the sixth time in the club’s history, Vardar pro will be among the European handball elite. This time the success is even bigger with stronger competition and only 24 teams in the group matches.

Barcelona, Kolding, Ademar, Amicitia and Kiel will be waiting for the FYR Macedonian champions in the next group phase.

As hosts of the qualifying tournament, Vardar expected to play the hardest game against Dinamo Minsk. However, against the Belarusian team they won by 34-24. Victories against Besiktas (33-30) and Buducnost (35-28) secured the group victory for Vardar.

When most needed, Vardar pro showed their strength and superiority. Coach Branislav Angelovski was satisfied after the Dinamo game.

“We have beaten Dinamo mostly due to our good defensive performance. We played a little worse in the first two rounds against Besiktas and Buducnost. Against Dinamo we played all 60 minutes with the same pace, did not panic when we were losing and we made it.”

Dinamo waiting for a new opportunity

The Belarusian champion had fair chance for a CL ticket, but failed this time. Coach Alexander Malinovski is already thinking about the next chance:

“We are a young and inexperienced team. We have to learn, but this was a good success. Our opponent knew how to make use of our mistakes. Our back players performed worse than expected and that was the reason we could not win. We will wait for another chance.”

Angelov unbeatable

One of the best players of the decisive match against Dinamo Minsk was goalkeeper Peter Angelov. He made 20 saves both against Buducnost and Dinamo Minsk. He talks about the victory:

TEXT: Goran Antevski