Start of New Year is also start of handball transfers. Hypo Niederősterreich signed Brazilian international Deonise Fachinello.

According to www.itxako.com former player of Itxako Navarra is already on her way to Vienna. Fachinello and Itxako agreed to terminate her actual contract. All the transfer papers will be ready this week and 25-year old back player can join Austrian Champions immediately. She has 180 cm and 75 kg; plays on right back and left back position.

After right winger Nascimento, left winger Mesquita and pivot Piedade, back player Fachinello will be fourth Brazilian international in team of Gunnar Prokop.

Englert, Aćimović and Kim leaving

Goalkeeper Sabine Englert will not be in Hypo's squad for next season. German international signed three-years contract with FCM Handbold (ex Ikast Brande). Back Gorica Aćimović is heading to Viborg and pivot Cha-Youn Kim is going back to Asia.

PHOTO: www.itxako.com

Left back of Budućnost T-Mobile and best scorer of WRHL received award as best player in Montenegro.

Handball clubs and officials of Montenegro have elected best handball players in 2008.

Jovanović and Lazović - the best

23-year old Marija Jovanović received award as best female handball player.

16-year old pivot of Budućnost T-Mobile Suzana Lazović received award as best young female handball player of Montenegro.

After the ceremony, Marija Jovanović said:

"This is first time for me to be recognized as best handball player. It means really a lot to me. It's great to see that people appreciate my hard work."

"Also this is a great way to end 2008 and I am very happy about it. In next year I have high goals with Budućnost T-Mobile as well as with Montenegro national team. I always tend to improve and to give my maximum so this award is additional motivation to continue with hard work."

I.A.

Miranda Tatari, captain of Podravka Vegeta talks about her broken nose and great determination to help her team.

25-year old back describes how she sustained injury:
"What can I say? Bad luck in bad time. It happened on a friendly match against Budućnost T-Mobile on tournament in Hungary. It was really tough match from the very beginning. Suddenly I received a blow in my nose with a fist. It was very painful."

Unfortunately, nose was broken:
"Since it was broken I had to return in Koprivnica immediately where doctors adjusted my nose. This means two or three weeks being out of the court. I am very angry and disappointed because I will not be able to help my team in important match of Champions League against Larvik this week."

Despite this misfortune, Tatari is thinking positively:
"I will cheer for my team and give my best to return back as soon as possible."

Knowing determination and great fighting spirit of Miranda, she will be back in no time.

TEXT: Ivan Ambroš
PHOTO: www.rk-podravka.hr

Right back decided to extend contract with Budućnost T-Mobile until the end of season 2009/2010.

Bulatović came to Budućnost in January 2008 from Slagelse. She played earlier in Knjaz Miloš and Lasta. At the moment, "Kaća" is amongst six best scorers of WRHL and also very important defence player in Podgorica team. No wonder Budućnost T-Mobile wanted her to stay.

Ney Year's wish - trophy with Budućnost T-Mobile

"I am very satisfied with the fact that I will spend one more season here. We are all working hard and I am convinced all our work will be paid off soon."

24-year old Montenegrin lefthander has a clear goal for the future:

"My New Year's wish is to win European trophy with Budućnost T-Mobile. It doesn't matter if it will be Champions League trophy or Cup Winners Cup trophy."

I.A.

With sensational away win against Hypo 28:33 (14:19), Krim Mercator breaks through on second position of WRHL table.

Turn over by Vergelyuk and Lekić

Mőrtell scored first goal for guests. Nascimento equalized and Hypo soon took 3:1 lead. Then Vergelyuk and Lekić scored four consecutive goals and gave decisive impulse to their team for 3:5.
 
In 13th minute of the match Krim took three goals lead – 8:11, but they managed to end first half with a margin of five goals – 14:19. Interesting thing is that both Nemeth and Bon did not call for time-out in first half.

Slovenian team continued with domination in second half also. In 45th minute result was 24:28. Andras Nemeth tried everything but his team simply could not avoid defeat. Match ended with a clear victory of Krim Mercator – 28:33.

Vergelyuk and Oder best scorers

Best scorers of the match were Vergelyuk with nine goals and Oder with seven goals. Toth scored six and Mesquita five goals for home team.

This victory of Krim Mercator is continuation of their amazing stream. After three defeats in a row in first three rounds, Krim had five wins and only one draw afterwards. Now team from Ljubljana holds second position on WRHL table, proving their rising form just before decisive matches in Champions league.

HYPO NIEDERŐSTERREICH vs. KRIM MERCATOR 28:33 (14:19)

Maria Enzersdorf, BSFZ Sűdstadt. Attendance:
Referees: Matija Gubica and Boris Milošević (Croatia).

HYPO: Blazek, Englert; Nascimento 4(1), Piedade 4, Kirsner 2, Lerant, Kim 2, Oh 3, Toth 6(2), Moon, Thurner, Plach, Myoung, Mesquita 5, Aćimović 2.
Coach: Andras Nemeth.

KRIM: Stefanišin, Trifa; Oder 7(2), Bodnijeva 3, Argenti, Mőrtell 5(1), Cerar 1, Damnjanović, Lekić 4(1), Mavsar 1, Varlec 1, Vergelyuk 9, Irman 1, Vidic 1.
Coach: Marta Bon.

7 M SHOTS: Hypo 4(3), Krim 4(4).
2 MIN SUSPENSIONS: Hypo 1 (Piedade), Krim 3 (Irman 2x, Mőrtell).

TEXT: Ivan Ambroš
PHOTO: www.rkkrim-klub.si

WRHL wishes You a happy holidays and a prosperous New Year!

2008 goes to history. It will be remembered as a very special one for us – as a first year of  WRHL. There isn't better way to conclude it but with a derby.

And not just with a derby, but with a derby Hypo vs. Krim – clash of two handball giants. Austrian and Slovenian Champions played many matches against each other. Every time they met, spectators enjoyed real handball spectacle. It will be no different this time.

Krim preparing for  Metz

Team of Marta Bon already proved their capability to defeat strong rivals in away matches (Budućnost T-Mobile) as well as at home (Viborg). Andrea Lekić and Dijana Golubić showed great performances with their national teams on European Championship in Macedonia. They are amongst four top scorers of WRHL and Austrian defence will have to seriously keep an eye on them.

Mission is clear: Krim need victory on Monday in order to boost self-confidence just before important match of Champions league in Metz. It might be decisive match for second position in group C which leads to CL's main round and amongst eight best teams of Europe.

Prokop and Nemeth worried

Hypo does not have this kind of „CL pressure“. Austrian Champions stand firm on top of group B with three consecutive victories and good prospects for entering CL's main round. But Gunnar Prokop and Andras Nemeth are worried about something else.

That is team’s performance in last match of WRHL played in Zagreb against Lokomotiva. Home team had a lead of 15:11 at the end of first half. Hypo needed 50 minutes to equalize and 54 minutes to take the lead. According to Nemeth and Prokop, Timea Toth was only bright spot in that match. Rest of the team did not show a good play.

Derby of WRHL's 10th round Hypo Niederősterreich vs. Krim Mercator will be played on Monday at 19:00 hours in Sűdstadt. Winner will enter 2009 with raised hands taking second position on WRHL table.

TEXT: I.A.
PHOTO: www.hagenpress.com

By defeating Lokomotiva and Ljubuški, on Wednesday and Saturday, Budućnost T-Mobile strenghtened top position of WRHL table. Montenegrin Champions have collected 14 points from eight matches played.

In both matches, Gyula Zsiga gave chance to his younger players.

LOKOMOTIVA vs. BUDUĆNOST T-MOBILE 27:31  (10:14)

Zagreb, Dom sportova. Attendance: 200.
Referees: Boris Šatordžija and Saša Pandžić (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

LOKOMOTIVA: Zeljko (15), Kosanović; Milanović-Litre 9, Vrkljan 6, Komljenović 3, Bazzeo 1, Peraica 2, Kožarić 1, Milić 2, Nikšić 1, Knježević 1, Džeko, Maruščec 1.
Coach: Zoran Mlinarić.

BUDUĆNOST: Barjaktarović (18), Milenković (4); Bulatović 9, Radović 7, Knežević 6,  Kindl-Kovacs 3, Jovanović, Miljanić 1, Radičević 1, Vlahović, Đurović 1, Marković 1, Lazović 1,  Božović 1.
Coach: Gyula Zsiga.

7 M SHOTS: Lokomotiva 3 (1), Budućnost 2 (2).

2 MIN SUSPENSIONS: Lokomotiva 4, Budućnost 9.

BEST PLAYER: Sonja Barjaktarović (Budućnost T-Mobile).

Lokomotiva played without Maja Čop-Andesilić (back injury) and two players from Croatian national team who were resting after European Championship – Nikica Pušić and Jelena Grubišić.

Budućnost played without Tihana Ambroš (muscle injury) and Anđela Dragutinović (hip injury). Marija Jovanović played a little but she is still recuperating from shoulder injury.

BUDUĆNOST T-MOBILE vs. LJUBUŠKI LIDO OSIGURANJE 33:24 (17:13)

Podgorica, Sports Center “Morača”. Attendance: 200.
Referees: Aco Nikolovski and Gjoko Kolevski (Macedonia).

BUDUĆNOST: Barjaktarović (5), Milenković (8); Radičević 7(2), Kindl-Kovacs 8, Bulatović 3, Ambroš 1, Jovanović, Radović 6, Vlahović 1, Đurović 3, Miljanić 2, Mehmedović 1, Lazović 1, Knežević.
Coach: Gyula Zsiga.

LJUBUŠKI: Bjelić; Troglić, Sušac, A. Prusina, Ristić, Ljolje, Knezović, M. Prusina 8(6), Tomić 3, Boras 5, Dragičević 1, Tolić, Mistrić 3.
Coach: Zvonko Papak.

7 M SHOTS: Budućnost 2(1), Ljubuški 6(6).

2 MIN SUSPENSIONS: Budućnost 4, Ljubuški 3.

BEST PLAYER: Gabriella Kindl-Kovacs (Budućnost T-Mobile).

Ljubuški came to Podgorica without Kornelija Rajković. Budućnost T-Mobile played without Dragutinović. Jovanović and Ambroš did not play much because of their injuries.

Thanks to Pušić and Grubišić Lokomotiva won first half with 15:11, but the final score was 30:24 in favour of Hypo.

As expected, match proved to be very interesting. With Nikica Pušić and Jelena Grubišić in the squad, home team started with 3:1 lead. Already in fifth minute coach Nemeth was forced to call time-out.

Hypos defence could not stop Croatians and in 15th minute result was 10:6. Grubišić had many saves and young Bazzeo showed great performance in offence. Austrians made too many technical errors and Lokomotiva concluded first half with four goals margin – 15:11.

Zagreb team started second half without Pušić, Grubišić and Bazzeo, but with Zeljko and Komljenović. Backs were Maruščec, Knježević and Vrkljan. Step by step Hypo started to show their quality and margin decreased. Home team got tired and made some mistakes which allowed Hypo to equalise on 21:21 in 49th minute. In 54th minute Hypo took the lead which soon increased thanks to Nascimiento - best scorer of Hypo team with seven goals.

Considering strength and quality of their opponents, young team of Lokomotiva can be satisfied with today’s performance.

LOKOMOTIVA vs. HYPO 24:30 (15:11)

Zagreb, Kutija šibica. Attendance: 100.
Referees: Krašna Robert and Tomo Vodopivec (Slovenia)

LOKOMOTIVA: Grubišić (8+1), Zeljko (5); Bazzeo 1, Nikšić 3, Bušić, Vrkljan 5(2), Komljenović 1, Pušić 4(1), Knježević 5, Petković, Milanović-Litre 2, Maruščec 3, Kožarić, Milić.
Coach: Zoran Mlinarić.

HYPO: Blazek, Englert (15+1); Nascimento 7(1), Piedade 3, Kirsner 5, Lerant, Kim 4, Oh, Toth 6(2), Thurner 1, Myoung 1, Mesquita 1, Aćimović 2.
Coach: Andras Nemeth.

7 M SHOTS: Lokomotiva 4(3), Hypo 4 (3).
2 MIN SUSPENSIONS: Lokomotiva 2, Hypo 4.

TEXT: www.hr-rukomet.hr
PHOTO: www.hagenpress.com

Lokomotiva will have busy schedule this week. On Wednesday at 19:00 team from Zagreb will welcome Budućnost T-Mobile in “Dom sportova“. On Saturday at 18:00 hours, Lokomotiva will face Hypo in “Kutija šibica“.

Klaudija Bubalo highly appreciates Montenegrin team:

“Budućnost T-Mobile is strong team with great quality. On other side we will play without our two players who participated EC in Macedonia (Nikica Pušić and Jelena Grubišić). Despite that, I expect from my team to show good play and great fighting spirit. I find Budućnost T-Mobile as favourite in this match.“

Two Croatian national team players are not only ones who will miss Wednesdays match. Lokomotiva will have to play without their first pivot player Maja Čop-Andesilić who is injured:

“Nikica and Jelena really deserved break after many matches played on European Championship. Maja is on therapy right now and her recovery is expected in one month.“

Good news for Lokomotiva is comeback of Jelena Grubišić, who demonstrated great form on EC in Macedonia. Her contract with Lokomotiva expires this season and many top European clubs want to sign her:

“Jelena's comeback is really good news for us. Regarding the future, Lokomotiva has great desire to prolong the contract with Jelena. We are prepared to do everything what it takes to convince Jelena to stay in Lokomotiva.”

Croatian handball legend believes in bright future of regional league:

“WRHL brings many quality matches. It is great thing for handball. This is only first season and I expect very soon full halls with many spectators enjoying women’s handball matches – like it was not so long ago.“

Despite the small budget, Lokomotiva continues with great results. Although only professional Croatian club Podravka Vegeta has much better financial background, Lokomotiva won Croatian Championship title in 2004 and Croatian Cup title in 2005 and 2007.

“Lokomotiva comes from capital city of Croatia which has many sports clubs. City Zagreb gives the money to all of them, so in the end women’s handball get only crumbs. It is not sufficient for having constant results. Podravka Vegeta has much bigger budget and every year they buy our players. But we are searching for sponsor and with help of the city I am convinced things will get better in following seasons.“

Lokomotiva has great history and has always been famous upon great handball school:

“Exactly. I also started my handball carrier in Lokomotiva as a very young girl. Our club was always famous upon great handball school, and it is still. No less then eight players or ex-players of Lokomotiva have played for Croatian national team on EC in Macedonia (Pušić, Grubišić, Arslanagić, Penezić, Lovrić, Horvat, Golubić and Jelčić). Now, we have 250 girls divided in groups 1992, 1994, 1996 and 1998. They all compete in organised leagues. So, we continue with our work.“

Bubalo reveals plans for this season:

“In Croatian Championship we are on second place and we plan to hold that position. Our goal in WRHL is to play good. We want our players to gain experience by playing many quality matches.“

PHOTO: www.hrs.hr (Klaudija Bubalo and Nataša Kolega)