 Džomba: Going to Cologne will be my pleasure
Mirza Džomba – people follow each of his steps, they still applaud him and he still smiles like years ago, when he was creating magic on the right wing.
He played for Zamet, Zagreb, Ciudad Real, Vezprém, Kielce and the Croatian national team and with every team it was the same. He dazzled with his amazing jump shot, long hang time and fantastic finishing. Crowed loved his skill and he had a style to remember.
Today he is a family man living in Rijeka, not too close to handball and he seems to like it that way.
The best right wing in the 20 years of the EHF Champions League, confirmed by being named in the Ultimate Selection, spoke to ehfCL.com about.
Džomba played 14 seasons in this competition – four with both Zagreb and Veszprém, five in Ciudad Real and the last one in Kielce.
He reached six finals and unbelievably suffered five losses, but eventually secured a win against San Antonio in a Ciudad Real’s jersey.
''That surely was the best moment in my whole history of the competition.
“We knew back then that we were too strong, that our time had come and that it must happen. We were an amazing team.”
However, before that he lost five finals and there were nothing but bad memories.
“'It wasn't easy, of course, I remember from time to time.
“Three loses to Barcelona with Zagreb. I believe even now that we did everything we could but Barcelona were really untouchable.
He was also in finals with Veszprém and Ciudad in his first season there.
''There was a great euphoria in Veszprém. We were very close and it remained as the greatest success of the club but Magdeburg were simply better.
“I also suffered in Ciudad, as we lost to Barcelona. The worst thing was that we were sure that we were going to win.
“After the game, Pero Metličić made a joke that he had to come to Ciudad from Ademar Leon so that we could finally lift that trophy…and we did,” explained Džomba.
Mirza was not only a great player, but also a great showman.
He had made such a good impression in Spain, that when he left for Zagreb, his friend Arpad Šterbik decided to drive him from Spain himself.
“The king never walks alone,” said Šterbik back then.
In Ciudad he had everything, Domingo Diaz gave him anything he wanted, but Zagreb was always calling.
When asked about the award, he answered in his typical fashion, which left such a great impression wherever he went.
''It seems that I was really good, as they chose me for the Ultimate selection,” he said laughing.
“I am honestly grateful to everyone who played a role in making this decision. I am honoured to be in such a company.
“Of course I'll come to Cologne, it'll be my pleasure. I miss these 'handball things' a bit, I must say.”
Džomba will be able to enjoy Kielce, Barcelona, Kiel and Hamburg in action at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 while collecting his award.
“The favourites for Cologne are without doubt Kiel and Barcelona.
“But, in such matches everything is possible, although it's hard to predict anything. It really is a question of the moment and inspiration and surprises can happen.”
Who will he be supporting at Europe’s premier club competition?
“That’s a difficult question. Let's put it this way – I'll support our players (Croatians) in Kielce and Hamburg, but also Barcelona because of my friends from Ciudad Real, Šterbik and Rutenka, who are there now,” concluded Džomba
TEXT: Bruno Pinevic / cor
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