09.03.2012, 11:44
The dreams of “Mr Goal Machine”

ehfCL.com caught up with Madrid’s Kiril Lazarov about his objectives, his predictions and his contract extension.

Twice the top scorer in the VELUX EHF Champions League, all-time top scorer in a World Championship with 92 goals in ten matches, top scorer in the EHF EURO 2012 with 61 goals in seven matches which makes him the all-time top scorer of a single EHF EURO event – without any doubt Kiril Lazarov is "Mr Goal Machine".

The Macedonian just extended his contract at Atletico Madrid after being on the shopping list of several top European clubs. Just after coach Talant Dushebajev had confirmed that he would stay in Madrid, the 31-year-old left-handed right-back agreed on a contract extension.

But why, and what are his objectives - both at club level and with the Macedonian national team? He explains all in this interview with ehfCL.com.

ehfCL.com: You just extended the contract at Atletico Madrid. Why did you chose to stay in Spain, given that you had some offers from other clubs?

Kiril Lazarov: For me and my family everything fits in Madrid. The club works perfectly and we all have great ambitions. Atletico is one of the rare clubs where I can accomplish my sportive dreams. So despite other offers I signed the contract.

ehfCL.com: You have played for two years at Atletico/Ciudad Real. What makes this club so special?

Kiril Lazarov: Atletico relies on continuity, I like the style we play and people involved in the club have a mutual respect. And on top of that we all have a great vision for the future.

ehfCL.com: Your coach is Talant Dushebajev – why is he different to other coaches you had before?

Kiril Lazarov: A lot has been written and said about Talant in the last few weeks, so it is really not my task to repeat and to add more. But in my opinion he is one of the best coaches in the world, he has the gift to tease out the maximum from every player, to lead the team in a perfect way, but still giving every player the freedom he needs to be successful.

ehfCL.com: You were part of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 for the first time last season – what are your memories when looking back on Cologne?

Kiril Lazarov: After beating our old rivals from Hamburg we gave all we could in the final against FC Barcelona. But it was not enough, as Barca played a fantastic final and a fantastic season. Unluckily, we picked up some injuries during the Super Globe we played in Qatar before the FINAL4.

ehfCL.com: So is it your dream to return to Cologne again?

Kiril Lazarov: Of course, this is my great wish!

ehfCL.com: In the Last 16 of VELUX EHF Champions League Atletico Madrid play against Kadetten Schaffhausen – is it an easy opponent or are you wary of the Swiss champions?

Kiril Lazarov: You have to have respect for every opponent in the VELUX EHF Champions League. Kadetten are the Swiss champions, so we do not treat them lightly in this Last 16. We will have the respect you need for such an important match.

ehfCL.com: In another Last 16 duel all your team mates from the Macedonian national team playing for Metalurg will face your former club Zagreb – who will you be supporting in that match?

Kiril Lazarov: I have mixed emotions, really! Zagreb contributed so much to my career, but on the other side I love my country. So I will be crossing my fingers for Metalurg.

ehfCL.com: Before possibly reaching the VELUX EHF FINAL4 you play in Sweden in the Olympic qualification tournament. How do you rate the chances of FYR Macedonia?

Kiril Lazarov: We have to play in a really tough tournament with host Sweden, Hungary and Brazil. But we believe that we can fulfil our task and make our dreams – and the dreams of two million Macedonians – come true.

ehfCL.com: And how do you see your chances of having a perfect 2012 after becoming top scorer at the EHF EURO and ranking fifth with Macedonia? What is your dream for this year?

Kiril Lazarov: I only wish to stay alive and healthy, anything else we will work hard to gain, and if it happens, it happens.

TEXT: Björn Pazen