06.08.2012, 11:22
New goalkeeper for Zagreb

Mario Kelentrić returns to Zagreb and helps developing a young team

New goalkeeper for Zagreb

For the third time in his long and successful career the experienced goalkeeper Mario Kelentrić (39) will play between the posts of Croatian champions, HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb

After five seasons at MT Melsungen, Germany, the former Croatian national team goalkeeper decided to sign a contract with a team in which he already played for two periods (1999/01 and 2003/04).

On top of that Kelentrić will be coaching his younger teammates Ivan Stevanović and Filip Ivić. The experience of the world champion (Kelentrić was a part of the Croatian national team at World Championship in Portugal 2003) will help the team to maintain the results on the same level as in previous years.

Kelentrić has played in Croatian teams Medvešćak Zagreb and Metković Jambo, for Slovenian RK Celje Pivovarna Laško, German side TUSEM Essen and in France with Saint Marcel Vernon.

Last season’s Zagreb’s duo of goalkeepers, Marin Šego (Orlen Wisla Plock) and Ivan Pešić (RK Maribor Branik) left the Croatian capital over the summer break. 

Marko Kopljar (HC Paris), Jakov Gojun (BM Atletico Madrid), Ljubo Vukić (Meshkov Brest), Ivano Balić (out of the contract) and Manuel Štrlek (Vive Targi Kielce) also decided to take the next step in their professional career and left the club.

Goalkeeper Ivan Stevanović, left wing Hrvoje Batinović, line player Bojan Skoko, playmaker Marko Matić, Men’s 20 European Championship MVP Stipe Mandalinić and Ivan Sršen replaced the leaving players.

Zagreb play in the VELUX EHF Champions League Group D with FC Barcelona Intersport, Kadetten Schaffhausen, Füchse Berlin, Pick Szeged and winner of the knock-out match between Dinamo Minsk and Besiktas.

TEXT: Žika Bogdanović