30.08.2013, 04:00
Golden experience at the stake in Novi Sad

PREVIEW: The hosts of the Qualification Tournament 3 in Novi Sad, Serbia believe their second attempt to reach the Group Phase will be successful over the weekend

Golden experience at the stake in Novi Sad

For the second time in history, Serbian champions RK Vojvodina have a chance to qualify for the VELUX EHF Champions League.

They missed the first chance in 2005, when “red and white” from city of Novi Sad lost qualification battle against Austrian champions Bregenz. This time Vojvodina will face another Austrian best team, Alpla Hard at the Qualfication Tournament 3 semi-final.

The best Vojvodina’s player in the last season, left back Uroš Elezović (31) does not feel any pressure before the important weekend in Novi Sad.

"We have done a good job during the pre-season period. I am satisfied with the level of performance and results at the preparation tournaments. It's still not the desired level of the game, but I hope that we will improve and give our best in next two matches on Saturday and Sunday.

"Sincerely, I am taking these matches as any other. There is no special preparation for them, the season is just at the start," said the former player of RK Cimos Koper and Kadetten Schaffhausen.

Sold-out expected in Slana Bara

One of the newest sports halls in Serbia "Slana Bara“ in Novi Sad is home of RK Vojvodina. Expectations are that capacity of 2000 seats will not be enough for all handball lovers who would like to watch the matches. Elezović does not think the role of tournament's host should tie their hands at all.

"Players have the kind of ambition, but not the pressure. We would like to play with the best European handball teams, of course, it's very important for the younger players who have never played in the Champions League," he said.

"That is a golden experience for every player. Hopefully, we will make it. Only players themselves put the pressure on them individualy."

The first hurdle at the tournament is all but unknown for Elezović.

"One of my best friends goalkeeper Golub Doknić is the best player of Hard and maybe of the whole Austrian league as well. I know their squad and both their strenghts and weaker spots. Their most important players are Balkan trio, Golub Doknić and two backs, Marko Krsmančić and Marko Tanasković."

He is convinced that the winner of the second semi-final is almost granted.

"Borac have big financial problems. Zaporozhye are the favorites not only for their first match, but also to win the whole tournament. Their last signing Richard Štochl is a very good goalkeeper, which I know from my time in Slovenia, when he played for Celje."

Mirković: "Motor are the top favourites“

Vojvodina's newcomer, right back Milan Mirković (28) came from Slovenian RK Maribor Branik this summer. Lefthander agrees totally with his team-mate.

"We know that Motor are the biggest favourite to qualify for the Group Phase, but we can still have 60 minutes to try to beat them. Of course, only if we overcome our first rivals.

"I think, that we are on the same level as Hard and Vojvodina won't underestimate Austrians. We have to fight from the first second and play good defence, which is our strenght."

Experienced right back who also played in Koper and Veszprém in the past, is thrilled about the squad of Serbian champions at the beginning of the season.

"We need time, but I am very satisfied with the team roster. Vojvodina will grow as a team during the season. You don't have to take serious results in friendly matches. We won tournament in Novi Sad, but without a lot of tactical trainings before, only on our defensive quality.

"In Doboj we played very good match against better team of Dunkerque 29:29. Also, match against Tatran 28:32 was good, even we were tired from day before. We are aware of handball community expectations, but we don't feel the pressure," said Mirković to ehfCL.com.

TEXT: Žika Bogdanović / br