02.11.2012, 10:51
Silver Eagles encourage Serbian team

Hosts of the Women's EHF EURO 2012 in Serbia enjoy the morale boost by their successful male counterparts

Silver Eagles encourage Serbian women's team

Not more than ten months after the national team of Serbia won silver medals at the Men’s EHF EURO 2012, their female counterparts are ready to repeat the successful story on the home court at the women's edition of the continental championship.

Last January, in front of 20.000 raucous fans in the beautiful “Kombank Arena” the home team made their way to the gold medal match of the tournament and although they lost the final against Denmark the story of „Silver Eagles”, will have its prominent place in the history of Serbian handball.

For men's team there is a pay-back time now for all the support they received on their medal journey as they try to boost the morale of their fellow Serbians entering the Women´s EHF EURO 2012 in just one month's time.

The head coach of the men´s team, Veselin Vuković, is ready to share the inspirational know-how with his colleagues from the women´s coaching staff.

“Girls and coaching staff have to give 100 per cent of their efforts and that will be enough to become recognized and supported by the fans. If they make it, (Kombank) 'Arena' will get louder and support stronger every day.

"This has to be their biggest objective. We will try to share our experience during their preparation period. I hope that our story will be helpful,” Vuković said.

The unforgettable mood in the stands of one of the biggest sports halls in Europe will remain forever in the hearts of the 'Silver Eagles' as they won their first handball medal as an independent nation in the arena and it could become a great motivation for the women´s team of the hosting nation.

“That was a highlight of my professional career,” Serbia's Rastko Stojković acknowledged.

“(The) Men’s EHF EURO 2012 was something most beautiful in my sporting career. Some things will always stay fresh in my mind through the whole life.

"That event will have its place reserved for sure. You know, when you get a chance to make something big and to become a part of the history, then you are ready to do everything to achieve these goals,” the line player of the Polish side Vive Targi Kielce added when recalling the memories from „Kombank Arena“.

And Stojković takes the same support for women´s team for granted. “They have to realise that an army of 20,000 people are behind them. When you know that, then you are almost unbeatable,” he underlined.

“Always when I see some program on TV from 'Arena', I feel very happy. In those moments you remember almost every second, every quotes, jokes and feelings.

"That was totally unbelievable 20 days of my life. It was fantastic to play in front of our people. Nobody from that Serbian squad will ever forget these days until the end of career. That was a privilege to be the part of that historical moment,” playmaker Petar Nenadić said.

“When you play at home, there is nothing to be afraid of. Girls have just to feel the energy of the full stands. They are a huge motivation to fight until the end. When tactics can’t help you, fans would lead you to the victory,” Nenadić added.

TEXT: Žika Bogdanović / br