FINAL 4: Semi-final II Vardar - PPD Zagreb Fifth final tournament appearance
In SEHA League second semi-final - regional clasico with two-time champions Vardar playing title holders from League's second season PPD Zagreb. Both clubs have each season so far managed to go all the way and reach final tournament. This will be their third semis clash with Vardar having 2:0 so far. Last season PPD Zagreb were on the other side better in third-place match.
Vardar a bit more successful so far and this season score is 1:1. Vardar starts as No.2 from after the regular part of the season, PPD Zagreb third.
Both clubs have in Champions League managed to advance through to quarter-finals with PPD Zagreb celebrating against German Rhein Neckar Löwen and Vardar beating Polish Wisla.
Veselin Vujović, PPD Zagreb coach:
There is a lot of quality here. We're satisfied with the place among best 8 teams in Europe but that is already behind us. Only thing that matter right now is Vardar. I know a lot about them, way they think and approach each match, I've spent some time there. They are favorites but we can beat anyone. This is important for both of us, to keep the level of self-confidence ahead of CL clashes against PSG and Veszprem.
Zlatko Horvat, PPD Zagreb player:
I'm looking forward to playing more-less at home here in Varaždin, in front of mostly our fans. This will be two amazing matches I have no doubt about it. Mannheim was a boost for us, big one and we want to go even further now. In other words, we want to play in final here.
Raul Gonzales, Vardar coach:
We're satisfied with the season so far and handball quality in SEHA League. We'll play with final on our mind, that's where we want to be on Sunday. Zagreb are having a really good season. Our is similar and we both have some injured players. This season is really important for us here in SEHA Gazprom League as we want to go all the way. League has once again proved to keep and even raise the level of quality on these fial tournaments from year to year.
Stojanče Stoilov, Vardar player:
Vardar did not perform well on F4 in Veszprem last season. I truly hope we'll make up for that this season. We know Zagreb quite well and they know us.
So far in SEHA League
PPD ZAGREB - VARDAR
14 6 1 7 348:363
2015/16 League Skopje 33:24
2015/16 League Zagreb 30:25
2014/15 Final Four Veszprem - 3rd place match 26:23
2014/15 League Zagreb 25:22
2014/15 League Skopje 32:29
2013/14 Final Four Novi Sad - Semi-final 22:30
2013/14 League Zagreb 30:29
2013/14 League Skopje 33:24
2012/13 Final Four Skopje - Final 25:24
2012/13 League Zagreb 25:25
2012/13 League Skopje 26:23
2011/12 Final Four Zagreb - Semi-final 29:30
2011/12 League Zagreb 36:21
2011/12 League Skopje (not played 10:0)