Hypo defeats Podravka

22 October 2008

In match of WRHL's seventh round played in Sűdstadt, Hypo defeated Podravka 36:33 (17:15).

Podravka started the match with many errors, bad play in defence and without concentration. That allowed Hypo to take big margin of seven goals (12:5, 13:6 and 16:9). In 23rd minute Jelčić was substituted with Ungureanu. Romanian goalkeeper was the reason why Podravka decreased the margin and ended first half with only two goals behind – 17:15.

Myoung and Englert decisive

In second half Podravka started to play better. Ungureanu was good on goal and Đokić, Zebić, Franić, Pasičnik and Penezić good in offence. In 37th minute result was 19:19 and  in 46th minute 25:25. Podravka took first lead on match in 48th minute – 25:26.

After that both teams showed good play and result was practically equalised all the time – last time on 33:33 with goal scored by Anita Gaće. Then Hypo scored three consecutive goals, Croatian team missed their chances and match ended with a win of home team 36:33.

Both teams have reason to be satisfied before start of Champions league – Hypo because of win and Podravka because of good play in away match against last seasons CL finalist.

HYPO NIEDERÖSTERREICH vs. PODRAVKA VEGETA 36:33 (17:15)

Sűdstadt, BSFZ Südstadt hall. Attendance: 200.
REFEREES: Kvašna and Vodopivec (Slovenia).

HYPO: Blažek (1+-), Englert (12+1); Nascimento 4, Piedade 5, Kirsner 2, Lerant 1, Kim 4, Oh 3, Toth, Stumvoll, Plach, Myoung 8(6), Mesquita 4, Aćimović 5.
Coach: Andras Nemeth.

PODRAVKA: Žderić (1+0), Ungureanu (10+0), Jelčić (3+0); Kožnjak, Đokić 4, Palčić, Todorovska 1, Lovrak, Zebić 7, Gaće 2, Franić 4(1), Šerić, Pasičnik 3, Bulath 1, Tatari 3, Penezić 8(3).
Coach: Zdravko Zovko.

7 M SHOTS: Hypo 6(6), Podravka 6(4).
2 MIN SUSPENSIONS: Hypo 3 (Piedade, Kirsner and Aćimović), Podravka 2 (Franić and Šerić).

BEST PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Bok Hee Myoung (Hypo).

TEXT: www.rk-podravka.hr

Imperative to win

20 October 2008

Wednesday brings another exciting duel between top teams Hypo and Podravka. Austrians urgently need win, though, it will be very difficult to achieve against excellent team of Zdravko Zovko.

Last official matches Hypo and Podravka played long time ago. It was semi-finals of  Champions league in season 1997/1998. Hypo won both semi-final matches (18:17 and 20:19). Same season Hypo won CL title.

Now, it seems situation is different. Team of Andras Nemeth was defeated in Podgorica and Skopje; also they played draw in Ljubljana. After five rounds played in WRHL Hypo has five points. Austrians did not win in last three rounds of WRHL - they desperately need victory to boost their self-confidence.

Great form of Podravka

On the other side Podravka played four matches and gained six points – they were defeated only by Budućnost T-Mobile in Podgorica. Also Croatian champions qualified for CL with three convincing victories on qualification tournament in Spain.

On Monday Podravka Vegeta defeated Sesvete 36:23 (17:13). It was sixth round of Croatian Championship. Best player of the match was Anita Gaće who continued with great performances from CL qualification tournament. It seems Croatian champions are in great form.

For sure, match Hypo Niederősterreich vs. Podravka Vegeta will answer many questions. Winner will take second position on WRHL table and boost their self-confidence before start of CL. Derby of WRHL’s seventh round will be played in Sűdstadt on Wednesday at 19:00 hours. Referees will be Robert Krašna and Tomo Vodopivec from Slovenia.

I.A.

Gjorče Petrov survives crisis

20 October 2008

FYR Macedonian champion Gjorče Petrov will survive financial crisis that started a few months ago. Several sponsors will support the club until February 2009.

The club was looking for new sponsors for almost two months after Trifun Kostovski decided to quit sponsoring the club.
 
More small sponsors

The former CL winner will continue to operate with a different club model: more small sponsors adding up the budget instead of a main sponsor granting it.

The players will also be paid and all CL costs will be covered. The management board of the club are optimistic that the approximately 600 000 Euro will be available, which is necessary for the club’s regular activity.

Players were informed about the future of the club and President Ivan Bojkov asked them to focus on the games and on winning. All obligations will be fulfilled by the club.

The Board is satisfied with the players and the performance of the team in WRHL after they have defeated Krim and Hypo in Skopje.

Kostovski stays

Former main sponsor, Trifun Kostovski, will also support the club in the future. Though, he will commit less money. Kostovski informed the club officials that he will stay among the "financial supporters", because he could not easily forget the 15 years he invested in this club. At the same time the club needs to raise more money from their marketing activities.

Kostovski announced his withdrawal from all handball activities and sponsoring on 1st of  September, few days before the start of the World Regional Handball League.

TEXT: Goran Antevski (www.ehfcl.com)

"We can do better"

14 October 2008

Marija Jovanović - captain of Budućnost T-Mobile and best scorer of WRHL talks about good results of her team, captain title and expectations in Champions league.

Budućnost T-Mobile has five victories from five matches played in WRHL. Your team defeated CL participants: Krim, Gjorče Petrov, Hypo and Podravka Vegeta. What do you think about the start of the season?

”I am very happy because of good results. Still, five consecutive victories prove that we can do a lot more then that. I think we have really good team who is getting better and better every day. That’s for matches in WRHL mean a lot to us. This is something what we have missed in past seasons. Now we can practise and improve in all segments of our play. We do have quality but also we have a lot of space for improvements. I must emphasize great atmosphere in our team, positive energy which gives us strength to go on.”

Experience and self-confidence

You are long time in Budućnost. Can you compare this season with the past ones?

“This is my fourth season in Budućnost. From my point of view this season is very different from the past seasons. For example in last season we did not win one single match on preparation tournaments. And of course there is WRHL this season with lot of strong matches. This is great for getting experience and self-confidence. We will need all that in CL.”

In the beginning of the season your team-mates elected you unanimously for captain of the team. How does it feel?

“We are winning so it feels great.(smile) To be acknowledged by your own team-mates and to deserve their respect – it is great feeling. Also great honour and a big responsibility. I am very well aware of all that. But I will not allow any of these things to distract me in any way. I will continue being what I am,  with even greater responsibility in the hall and outside the hall. I will give my best to prove that I am worth of captain title.”

Top scorer

It seems you proved it already. After five rounds played you are top scorer of WRHL with 41 goals. Soon CL will start. Can Budućnost end bad tradition from the past and pass the group this time?

”I believe we can. In last seasons we had good players, but something was always missing. I really believe in this team and I am convinced that we can do big things in this season.

We have a young team, maybe the youngest team in CL, but with character and desire, with fighting spirit and hunger for victory, with self-confidence to continue improving and growing into team which will be recognisable on all these things I already mentioned.”

In group B of CL Budućnost will play against FCK, Hypo and Elda. Can their defences stop shoty of Marija Jovanović?

”Well, my first reaction on our group was that we have been lucky with the draw. But afterwards, when FCK qualified group started to look really tough. Danish team has Anja Andersen as a coach and many great players who won CL with Slagelse. Hypo played in CL finals last season. Elda is also good team, playing high paced Spanish handball. They are all great teams and group B will be tough to play in. We will do our best.”

 I.A.

41 WRHL player preparing for EC

13 October 2008

Today 41 player of WRHL started preparations for European Championship in FYR Macedonia (2nd to 14th of December).

Preparations with their national teams will attend: 13 players of Hypo, 10 players of Podravka, seven players of Gjorče Petrov, six players of Krim, three players of Lokomotiva, one player of Budućnost and one player of Radnički.

Players attending preparations for EC 2008 in Macedonia
(acording to actual WRHL and EHF ranking)

Budućnost T-Mobile:
Tihana Ambroš (Croatia)

Podravka Vegeta:
Paula Ungureanu (Romania)
Anita Bulath (Hungary)
Ivana Jelčić (Croatia)
Marta Žderić (Croatia)
Maja Zebić (Croatia)
Anita Gaće (Croatia)
Miranda Tatari (Croatia)
Andrea Penezić (Croatia)
Kristina Franić (Croatia)
Natalija Todorovska (FYR Macedonia)

Hypo Niederősterreich:
Sabine Englert (Germany)
Timea Toth (Hungary)
Erika Kirsner (Hungary)
Gorica Aćimović (Austria)
Petra Blažek (Austria)
Marina Budečević (Austria)
Thurner Sabrina (Austria)
Simona Spiridon (Austria)
Natalija Rusnachenko (Austria)
Katharina Reingruber (Austria)
Nina Stumvoll (Austria)
Isabel Plach (Austria)
Lina Simkunaite (Austria)

Gjorče Petrov:
Dragana Pecevska (FYR Macedonia)
Mirjeta Bajramovska (FYR Macedonia)
Julija Portjanko (FYR Macedonia)
Elena Georgijevska (FYR Macedonia)
Nataša Mladenovska (FYR Macedonia)
Dragica Kresoja (FYR Macedonia)
Jelena Popović (Serbia)

Lokomotiva:
Marija Zeljko (Croatia)
Nikica Pušić (Croatia)
Maja Čop-Andesilić (Croatia)

Krim Mercator:
Renáta Mörtel (Hungary)
Triffa Ágnes (Hungary)
Marina Vergelyuk (Ukraine)
Dijana Golubić (Croatia)
Andreja Lekić (Serbia)
Sanja Damjanović (Serbia)

Radnički Petrol:
Marina Dmitrović (Serbia)

Romania and Hungary will play in group 1 of EC with France and Denmark. Ukraine will play in group 2 with Norway (EC winner and Olympic champion), Portugal and Spain. Austria will play in group 3 with Russia (WC winner), Sweden and Belarus. Croatia, FYR Macedonia and Serbia will play in group 4 with Germany.

I.A.

"All the presure is gone now"

11 October 2008

Along with Budućnost T-Mobile, Hypo Niederősterreich, Gjorče Petrov and Krim Mercator, Podravka Vegeta is fifth team from WRHL competing amongst 16 best squads of Europe – in EHF's Champions League. Croatian Champions achieved this result led by Zdravko Zovko and his assistant coach Mato Matijević. Zovko talks about his team, qualifications and coming CL season.

Job done

Before tournament, you were convinced your team is better. Still there was a fear of disappointment.

“For sure, all the pressure is gone now. Everybody thinks it is normal for Podravka to play in CL. But the truth is that these qualifications cost us great deal of concentration and strength. Good thing is that we had good preparations for CL. Besides matches in Estella we also had strong matches in WRHL against Krim and Budućnost.

CL qualification tournament was very important to us. We did not play best we can, but in qualifications only result counts. And we can talk later about our performance. Bottom line is that Croatian champions are once again amongst the best teams of Europe, where we belong. We simply have quality to compete in CL. If we manage to collect some points against Lada, Larvik or Oltchim maybe we can go directly to CL next season.

I would like to congratulate to all my players on high level of concentration showed during these two months. In all that time we were focused only on CL qualifications.”

Important reinforcements

Is there something you are especially satisfied with?

“I am satisfied with my teams’ attitude in these matches. Maybe we did not start good first match against Itxako, but substitute players did better. Bulath, Franić and Šerić showed they can play important roles. This season we also have new reinforcements who should take their part of responsibility – Đokić, Penezić, Ungureanu and also Šerić who was borrowed to Virovitica. Fact that we have more then seven players capable of playing makes me really happy. This means when one player does not play good I can put other player and she will do better. I also want to congratulate goalkeepers. Last season we had big problems on that position. That was the reason why we brought Ungureanu who already showed her quality.”

You are also satisfied with performance of Anita Gaće, Natalija Todorovska and Maja Zebić. Wings do “fly“?

"We all know Todorovska has quality. Gaće is on good way to improve in Podravka as well as in Croatian national team. On simulation of qualification tournament in Zagreb we noticed that Todorovska can't play two good matches in two days. So in first match against Itxako Natalija played good. In other match against Leipzig Gaće took over. They now understand that all the players will get their chance. It is impossible one player to play all the time and other to sit on the bench all the time.

Handball becomes really tiring sport with high pace. I hope Anita will continue improving. I don't worry about Natalija because she is a great player. Regarding Zebić, she was injured and she is now back in shape. I am very satisfied with her."

Room for improvements

It seems Podravka is much stronger now, much more stabile. You now have players who are taking responsibility?

“It is very important having homogenous team including new players who are great personalities also. Đokić, Penezić and Ungureanu have quality, it is certain. But it is very important to become part of a team and not to be a "star“ who plays like a "one-man-band“. Ana Đokić showed that she is a good player linking our players in one unit.

I would have liked very much to see my team play better, to have good start in every match and to play without oscillations. We are capable of destroying everything what we did in just five minutes. We simply loose our heads and allow our opponents to score 5-0. If we want to do something in CL we may not allow these things to happen again. All teams in our group are better then Itxako and Leipzig (Lada, Oltchim and Larvik). So this will be our next step if we want to improve.”

Can you hold this level of readiness for first three rounds of CL?

“We subjected everything to CL qualifications. Also we did preparations accordingly. For sure we will have problems with that. I had talks with the girls and we all agreed we did great thing qualifying but the best things are yet to come. I believe all my players are aware that we must be in our best in first three rounds. We will try to hols this level of readiness with matches in WRHL and Croatian Championship.

EHF week is coming; maybe this is also not very good. Team will not be together for a whole week. From my experience this is not good. On the other hand, good thing is that majority of players will be in Croatian national team, together with assistant coach Matijević and me. We will do everything in our power to hold this level of readiness.
I also believe in Bulath and Ungureanu working good in Hungarian and Romanian national team.”

TEXT: Ivo Čičin Mašansker (www.koprivnica.net)
PHOTO: www.koprivnica.net

Krim rising

06 October 2008

Despite having young squad who still need many matches to grow into experienced team, Marta Bon is on right track. To prove that, Krim took the point at home against CL finalist Hypo 32:32.

Lekić was best scorer with 8 goals. Mörtel scored 7.
For Hypo Aćimović scored 6, Mesquita and Myoung 5 each.

It has to be said that Krim played without Oder and Hrnjič. On the other side Andras Nemeth could not count on Erika Kirsner.

After victory in Zagreb against Lokomotiva this is second success for Krim. They played five matches and gained three points (from last two matches). Their form is evidently rising.

 
KRIM MERCATOR vs. HYPO NIEDERŐSTERREICH 32:32 (18:15)

Ljubljana, Tivoli hall. Attendance: 350.
Referees: Boris Šatordžija and Saša Pandžić (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

KRIM MERCATOR: Triffa, Stefanišin; Cerar 1, Vergelyuk 2, Mavšar 3, Damjanović 1, Vidič 1 (1), Bodnieva 2, Golubić 3, Šoberl, Gregorc, Lekić 8 (2), Argenti 1, Irman 1, Varlec 2, Mörtel 7 (3).
Coach: Marta Bon.

HYPO NIEDERŐSTERREICH: Blažek, Englert; Nascimiento 4, Piedade 2, Lerant, Kim 3, Oh 4, Toth 2, Thurner, Plach 1, Myoung 5 (5), Mesquita 5, Aćimović 6.
Coach: Andras Nemeth.

7 M SHOTS: Krim 7(6), Hypo 6(5).
2 KIN SUSPENSIONS: Krim 4 (Cerar 2, Gregorc, Lekić), Hypo 4 (Piedade 2, Toth, Aćimović).

I.A.

Krim welcomes shaken Hypo

03 October 2008

Postponed match of third round Krim Mercator vs. Hypo Niederösterreich will be played tomorrow in Ljubljana. Andras Nemeth desperately needs win to end series of bad results.

Tomorrow's match will be very interesting from many points of view. Nobody thought favourite for winning the title will be third on WRHL table struggling fro victory.

On the other side Krim had a bad start with three consecutive defeats. But in last round they defeated Lokomotiva and their motivation increased. Now they want to continue winning stream. Young Slovenian team has great desire to show their capabilities against one of the best clubs of Europe.

Imperative to win

Slovenian and Austrian Champions have rarely met in official matches. Last match Krim vs. Hypo was played in season 2003/2004 - in finals of Champions trophy. Krim won 34:25 (18:13) and took Super cup title.

Hypo already lost two consecutive matches of WRHL in Podgorica and Skopje. Losing third match in a row would compromise atmosphere in club just one month before the start of Champions League.

Lekić & Golubić

Andreja Lekić and Dijana Golubić are top scorers of Krim. Their efficiency against Sabine Englert could be very important for final outcome of the match.

Are defeats of Hypo in Podgorica and Skopje only a misfortune?
Can young team of Marta Bon surprise CL finalists?

Match starting on Saturday at 20:00 hours in Sports Center Tivoli in Ljubljana will answer these questions.

I.A.

Comeback of Jelena Grubišić

30 September 2008

Goalkeeper of Lokomotiva Jelena Grubišić is recognised as great potential, "world-class goalkeeper to be". Unfortunately, 21-year old Croatian international sustained severe knee injury last season. Good news is that recovery process will end soon.

Hr-rukomet.hr: What is the situation with recovery process and when will you come back?

Jelena Grubišić: “I am now in last phase of recovery. In August I started to train but without the ball. Day by day I work harder and I expect to be ready for 2 or 3 weeks. Then I can start to play the matches and after that we will see how will knee react.”

Hr-rukomet.hr: Lokomotiva has young squad this season. What are expectations in WRHL, Croatian Championship and EHF Cup?

Jelena Grubišić: “Regional league is great thing for acquiring experience because we have many young players. We had a good start with victories against Kometal and Ljubuški. We also played good match against Hypo. We still have to face Podravka, Krim, Budućnost… top European teams.”

“Unfortunately we are left without our back court from last season: Lovrić, Penezić and Starček. Also there are injured players such as myself, Vrkljan and Milanović-Litre. We will need time to make a good team, but coach Mlinarić is on right track. In EHF Cup we will play against Turk team. There are very few informations about them, we only know they have Romanian, Serbian and Turk internationals. Goal in EHF Cup is to go far as possible. In Croatian Championship Podravka is untouchable, so our goal is second place. Trogir and Trešnjevka are also candidates for that second place, but Trogir was defeated in Osijek and Trešnjevka in Sesvete, so this will be interesting season.”

Hr-rukomet.hr: Many handball experts talk about your great talent. Do you have offers from greater clubs since this is your last season in Lokomotiva?

Jelena Grubišić: “This season I am player of Lokomotiva. After that we will see. My priority is to finish my studies. There were many offers especially last season. When I got injured everything calmed down, but it is normal since I am not playing. I don't want to mention names at this point…”

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

Gjorče Petrov deserves new sponsor

25 September 2008

Macedonian Champion Gjorče Petrov continues to show improvements in their performance, especially in front of home supporters. This time they defeated Hypo 26:22 (11:12). This is second win for Gjorče Petrov this season, and second defeat for Hypo.

Instead of full sports hall (like in "old times" when Hypo was coming to Skopje) game was played in front of small group of supporters. As reward to most loyal fans their team won and they were all really proud and happy.

Brave players of Gjorče Petrov

Home team forgot all temporally money problems. They played second good game in a row. Recent successes gurantee even bigger motivation for forthcoming matches in CL group.

It's clear that Macedonian Champion deserves to get new strong sponsor and to continue their great handball tradition.

Gjorče Petrov took the lead at the beginning. With some technical errors home team allowed Hypo to turn over result and to end first half with one goal deference – 11:12.

In second half Gjorče Petrov again took the lead, but this time didn't allow Hypo to get back in the game. Macedonian champions played clever with long and precise attacks and won at the end – 26:22.

Ana Križanac key player

Croatian goalkeeper Ana Križanac was leader in Gjorče Petrovs victory. She saved 21 shot and managed to stop powerfull shots by Aćimović, Kim and Oh.

Macedonian national players Dragica Kresoja and Julija Portjanko were amongst best on the field. Kresoja played excellent match with many assists and goals. Portjanko played courageously, fighting for every single ball.

Vladimir Gligorov, coach of Gjorče Petrov:
"We started the match highly motivated. Several players were ill last week with high body temperature, but all of them wanted to show that they are in good form. Before game out prime objective was to show better performance then in last games. But we secretly hoped to win. All players got their chance and I think everyone used it well.”

GJORČE PETROV vs. HYPO 26-22 (11-12)

Skopje, Sports hall in SRC Kale. Attendance: 400.
Referees: Pavičević and Vujisić (Montenegro).
Delegate: Marjan Načevski - Macedonia.

GJORČE PETROV: Križanac (20 +1);Trenkoska, Nikolovska, Popović 4, E. Gjorgjievska 2, Kresoja 7 (1/1), A. Amorim, Pecevska 2, Bajramovska 3, Portjanko 5, Mladenovska, Sterjova, D. Gjorgjievska, E. Amorim 3.
Coach: Vladimir Gligorov.

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

7 M SHOTS: Gjorce Petrov 2(1), Hypo 3(1).
2 MIN SUSPENSIONS: Gjorče Petrov 3, Hypo 1.

BEST PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Ana Križanac (Gjorče Petrov).

TEXT: Goran Antevski