08.05.2012, 05:00
Bulatović ready for second leg

Buducnost right-back eager to put first leg behind her and make up two goal difference in EHF Women's Champions League Final.

Bulatović ready for second leg

After two days of rest, Budućnost on Tuesday (8 May) begun their preparations for a historic second leg of the EHF Women's Champions League Final. A two goal deficit from the Veszprém Arena is not a big gap, but the Montenegro champions in front of their own fans will have to play a better game than in the first one if they want to lift the trophy.

In this interview with ehfCL.com, right-back Katarina Bulatović, third top-scorer of EHF Women's Champions League this season with 88 goals, talked about the first game and about the chances of Budućnost in the Second Leg in "Morača" hall, which will be played on Sunday.

ehfCL.com: What decided the first match in Veszprém?

Katarina Bulatović: We have not played a defence as we have done all season. In the attack we made lot of chances, but, the shot percentage was not good, mine was the worst. I think that made a difference. Györi Audi ETO KC did not surprise us with anything. In the Second Leg we have to do a lot better, especially in defence.

ehfCL.com: Given the fact that Budućnost missed five penalties, and that Györi Audi ETO KC was leading 29:24 about three minutes before the end, the two goals minus don’t look so bad?

Katarina Bulatović: The defeat does not look bad at all, considering the five missed penalties. We made some mistakes in defence, which we must not have in this kind of games. If the final result remained 29:24, it would have been probably much more difficult for us on Sunday. But, even if have won by two goals, after all, it would not mean anything.

Perhaps we would have been even to much relaxed because of that. Certainly, in the Second Leg we will not play for a win by one or two goals, but we will try to improve the game as much as possible, because I think there is really a lot of room for improvement. Particularly in defence, which adorns us, since we were a team playing the best defence this season.

ehfCL.com: In terms of scoring you didn’t have your day in Veszprém, with just three goals and missing three of five penalties. Having missed first shots of the game, especially penalties, did that make an impact on your concentration for the first of the match?

Katarina Bulatović: No, that was not the point. I am simply late in the form compared to other girls, because due to illness I have missed a week when the team was preparing the final. I felt heavy in the game. But this is not something I need to think about to much, because I had the same situation in first game against Metz, and after everything was ok.

ehfCL.com: Although Bojana Popović showed great form in Veszprém by scoring 14 goals, in the Second Leg it would be very difficult of Budućnost without your right performance?

Katarina Bulatović: I am the first one to expect to do better. Only I know how I felt when we losing by five goals, with my missed shots in that period, associated with their fast counterattacks. Only I know how I felt and I know I must do better, but, as I said before, I don’t want to think too much about my missed shots. I have a week to make up in my shape.

ehfCL.com: What is the recipe for the desired result in the Second Leg?

Katarina Bulatović: We must not rush the game, as we can catch up the two goals deficit in less than a minute, with two solid defence and two counterattacks. Their advantage is not something to push us hurry us from the start. The most important thing is to find our own game from the start, and not get into their rhythm. And of course, to make Györi Audi ETO KC score as least goals as possible.

ehfCL.com: Are you optimistic?

Katarina Bulatović: Of course I am, since we waited for this for whole season, since we are in the Final... At the beginning of the season we have not been considered one of the favourites, but we have shown that we have quality. Now remains only the last step to show that we are a team that can and deserves the trophy this trophy.

ehfCL.com: Györi Audi ETO KC had great support from their fans in Veszprém. Do you expect the same kind of support in the "Morača"?

Katarina Bulatović: I expect better support in our hall. We are used to have a great support from our fans; they are the best, as always. Like they showed against Larvik. I'm sure that with our game we will encourage them even more to cheer for all 60 minutes, because we really need their help.

Become a fan of the Official EHF Champions League Facebook. LIKE US! at www.facebook.com/ehf.champions.league

Watch the final leg of the EHF Women's Champions League Final on ehfTV.com (subject to local restrictions). Click HERE for more information

TEXT: Saša Jončić