Magic moments on Uros' European adventure
Well, my friends, the season is well underway now, isn't it?
It's not going bad for me, but it could've been better. Personally, I am not at 100% right now. Some minor bruises and aches are bugging me, but I guess that is the life of a professional handball legionary.
The decision of becoming one was luckily not particularly hard for me. As I've described before, my boss told me to follow my dreams and if things wouldn't turn out for the best, I could always come back. At the time I've been playing in Ljubljana for Prule, whom I joined after leaving my boyhood club and city rival Slovan.
I've played some good matches in the Champions league and for the national team, and Manolo Cadenas, who was then the coach of Ademar Leon, spotted me. And so I went on my first foreign adventure.
It was a big deal for me. I was only 23, a kid. I had a feeling I'm going to the edge of the Earth. My mother was crying like I was going into the army or something. When I returned home for a holiday after three months, I was so excited that I couldn't sleep for three straight days!
Foreign country, foreign language … I was lucky that Pero Metličić was there for me in Leon, he showed me around and acted as a sort of a translator. It is always a good thing if there are teammates from one's at least broader language area. That happened for me later too at Ciudad Real with Šterbik and Pajovič and later still in Kielce with Džomba and Stojanović. It makes the acclimatisation so much easier; those guys introduce you to the city.
It is interesting how things change during the course of one's career, the first training session with a new club for example.
When I arrived in Spain for the first time, I was still a bit wet behind the ears, I was quiet and reserved. I stayed in my corner, trying not to disturb anyone. Yes, yes, not your typical Zorman, I know...
Later, after I won the European crown with Celje and took silver at the EURO with Slovenia, I arrived from Celje to Ciudad Real to a team full of world-class players, all superstars. But by then I had made a name for myself already.
But name or no name, you still have to prove yourself in training and in matches. You can't just put your feet up and think that they should be glad to have you. Oh, no! The attitude has to be right and you have to be professional all the way. If you manage to do that, then you have no problems.
Looking back, I had the great fortune of playing with some excellent players. All in all I've had a good career so far, everything happened at the right time - nothing too soon or too late.
Comparing supporters
There are of course some differences between all the countries I have stayed in. I've been in Slovenia during probably the best time for handball there, but the problem back home is, if you're good, if you have results, they adore you, but as soon as those high expectations are not met, the criticism starts.
Spain, on the other hand, is special. At Ciudad Real we really had an all-star squad that ruled the continent for four or five years. The hall was full every time and I think there have special air in Spain that makes everybody smile a lot. Things happen a bit slower, but people are happy and open.
Poland is as a country that, I feel, is opening up, but they are a true sporting nation. People follow us around, the hall is packed and fans support us regardless. People stop me in the street and give encouragement, which is really special.
In my career I had the privilege to play all over Europe and before some crazy fans. Right now, Skopje is the hottest venue around. I've played there and the crowd is really something else. There were no chairs flying though at the time, but I've had my earful.
Back in the day Zagreb fans were most feared, though for me personally the best atmosphere was in Celje during those glory years. Playing before that capacity crowd was always an incredible experience, even the hall was built a way that amplifies the crowd’s energy.
Magic moments
In Celje I've played a lot of my most memorable matches, but there is one that takes the cake. And it's not the most obvious one, either. There is one match that this very special to my heart, a qualifier between Slovenia and Poland at Stožice hall in Ljubljana.
The venue was packed to the rafters, a great match with a great opponent and the atmosphere was just phenomenal. Before the match, when the anthems were playing, I nearly started to cry, that's how magical it was. We even managed to win that day and I still get goosebumps even thinking about it.
I haven't experienced anything like it since and I hope I will someday be able to again. Handball is magic!
Talk soon,
Uroš
TEXT: Uros Zorman, Vive Targi Kielce centre back
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