03.05.2015, 07:03
Great to be back in Budapest

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Katarina Bulatovic can earn her fourth EHF Champions League title next Sunday.

Great to be back in Budapest

It is a mere year ago that Katarina Bulatovic won the Women’s EHF Champions League with Győri Audi ETO KC. Now, with the defending champions out of the competition, the 30-year-old is the only player who can top the podium for the second consecutive year as she returned to Montenegro and joined Buducnost. With the 2012 winners, she is now aiming for her fourth title.

ehfCL.com: You left Buducnost in 2012 as a Women’s EHF Champions League winner. After two seasons away, you returned. Did it take a lot of effort to switch back to the way Buducnost play?

Playing for Buducnost, the players are expected to contribute in all elements of the game, while other teams I’ve been with tend to rotate more. It does take a bit of effort to switch back to that system, but now the system of playing in both attacking and defensive phases feels very natural for me again.

I have always had a great understanding with everyone here. Especially among us, the back court players – we know exactly how the other one thinks.

Having played and won the Women’s EHF Champions League both in front of your own fans with Buducnost as well as in Budapest last season playing for Győr - what are your impressions of the MVM EHF FINAL4, being back for the second time in a row?

It’s great to be back in Budapest. The FINAL4 is a wonderful experience, but it’s very ruthless. It’s two days, and two matches – everything sums up to that. No second chances. You either show the quality, or you lose out.

The last season’s MVM EHF FINAL4 final saw you lift your third Women’s EHF Champions League trophy, defeating your former club Buducnost with Győr. How did it feel approaching the game?

I have to admit, I felt a little bit strange playing against Buducnost in the final last season. It was slightly awkward and difficult seeing my old friends on the opposing side of the court, when both teams came for warmup.

By the time the match was ready to start, I have had the same feelings as I always do before any game, and was very motivated to win.

ehfCL.com: After three Women’s EHF Champions League trophies won, do you still feel the same hunger to win?

Absolutely! I was so thrilled to win the trophy. It didn’t feel the slightest bit less special, being my third Champions League trophy. In fact, I was so thrilled to lift it, because I know how much everybody wants the trophy, and it was my third time to win it.

This season is no different. I know we find ourselves against the four best teams, and by the time we get to the first match all odds will vanish in thin air.

ehfCL.com: Vardar, Buducnost’s opponents in the semi-final for the second year in a row, is a team you obviously know quite well. With their performances of late, having kicked out defending champions Győr, how different is Buducnost’s MVM EHF FINAL4 duel with them going to be in comparison to last season?

We know exactly who we face, as much as we are aware that some top quality teams didn’t make it to the FINAL4 this year. Vardar are a phenomenal team.

They have made great progress, and they have a group of excellent players. The fact that they managed to overcome Győr speaks volumes.

Last season Buducnost lacked the decisive edge and some experience playing in the final. Having been touted as the favourites to lift the Women’s EHF Champions League trophy from early on, it feels everything came together this season with you in the team.

We have completed our initial preparations to be physically up to the challenge, and are now getting in the right rhythm in training before the FINAL4. You have to be extra prepared to play against the best teams.

It’s hard work, but we know it will pay off eventually when we get to Budapest. The FINAL4 has always been our priority since the start of the season. We do not hide from responsibility, and accept the role of favourites – although it does not burden us in any way.

ehfCL.com: Your season has been marked with recurrent injuries, and your teammates had misfortunes of their own. However, the performances of Buducnost did not suffer much. Do you feel Buducnost can be back to full swing come the FINAL4?

It was a bit strange situation for me, as I have been facing some injury spells throughout the season, and I wasn’t used to getting injured quite that often in the past, but it is all behind me now. I have completed our mini-preparations recently without any problems, and I’m feeling better and better as the FINAL4 approaches.

It also means the world to us that Radmila Petrovic is back in the team. In my opinion, she is best right wing there is right now, and I really want to win the trophy with her in the team.

Check the gallery from a photoshooting session with Katarina Bulatovic here.

TEXT: Nemanja Savic / ts, br