04.04.2018, 04:20
Raicevic: "We should play the best game of our lives against Györ"

INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK: The Buducnost captain urges her team to show character when they play the defending champions in the quarter-finals of the Women's EHF Champions League this weekend

Raicevic: "We should play the best game of our lives against Györ"

The rivalry between ZRK Buducnost and Györi Audi ETO set off at the Cup Winners’ Cup final in 2006, which the Montenegrin side won. The two teams locked horns 17 times in total so far, including 15 matches in the Women’s EHF Champions League.

Even with a stronger and more experienced team than they currently have, Buducnost have defeated Györ just three times, twice in the Champions League.

The first victory was on 13 May 2012 at home in the second leg of the final (27:25) as Buducnost won their first Champions League trophy. The second victory followed two years ago in a main round game, also in Podgorica (25:22).

Györ won 10 of the remaining 17 matches while four games ended in a draw.

The 18^th meeting is set for Saturday at 19:00 hrs (live on ehfTV.com) in the first leg of this season’s quarter-final.

For coach Dragan Adzic’s team, the youngest in the competition, reaching the knockout phase has already been a success.

But with five wins and seven defeats so far, Buducnost will not start as favourites against the defending champions, team captain Milena Raicevic tells ehfCL.com.

“If we look realistically, each of us should play the best game of our life to win against Györ. There is no other way. In terms of team quality they are far ahead of us. But what we want to show is character.”

ehfCL.com: You have stressed many times that Buducnost have given the maximum so far. Have you saved some reserves for Györ?

Milena Raicevic: In every game we gave our maximum. Györ are a story for itself, like every other game we played. Against each opponent we seek new energy. Every opponent requires a different game.

ehfCL.com: As captain and longest serving player on the team, how do you rate the season so far?

Milena Raicevic: Even if we compare the current team with last year’s team, the difference is huge. In this season we have left a lot of better teams behind us. I am satisfied with reaching the quarter-finals and with the number of games we played - as we will play two more against Györ.

ehfCL.com: Did you believe in August, at the start of the preparations for the new season, that Buducnost could reach the quarter-finals?

Milena Raicevic: For us August is very, very far away. When we compare the quality at the start of the season to the present, the team have made a lot of progress. In less than six months each player has become part of the success of the club. We can be lucky because we got the maximum and the coach managed to put all things together. We played great games, there were also some bad ones, but we always tried to correct the negative things.

ehfCL.com: When did you realise that Buducnost could go so far?

Milena Raicevic: Definitely in the last group match against Vipers in Podgorica. We showed the biggest character in the decisive match for a place in the main round. Then in the main round we showed a good game. We lost some matches, but in the next matches, against the same rivals, we showed progress in attack and defence. Better even than last year.

ehfCL.com: How do you explain the weaker interest of the fans this season and do you expect a full hall against Györ?

Milena Raicevic: I cannot explain it. I do not know the reason. Perhaps the fans are used to successes or there may have been a slight saturation. It is inexplicable that visiting teams almost have a stronger support in our hall. But on Saturday we hope we will have the old atmosphere and support.

ehfCL.com: Who is your favourite to win the Champions League?

Milena Raicevic: Györ are the first favourites. Vardar have a great team, this season is decisive for them since there will change a lot next season. The competition for the trophy is strong, we will see.

TEXT: Saša Jončić / ew