Vardar versus Meshkov to open the new SEHA Gazprom season
Вардар и Мешков со дерби ја отвораат новата сезона
New, sixth SEHA season starts on Tuesday in Skopje with Vardar hosting Meshkov. Both teams have been able to book their place on F4 tournaments in previous four seasons. Goals remain the same, F4 tournament is a wish as well as a triumph in the first match of the season which should grant a quality and uncertain match.
From their previous encounters in SEHA Gazprom league Macedonians have five wins, one more than Belarus side. Last season Meshkov have managed to celebrate in Skopje but Vardar got revenge in Brest.
Teams will meet quite often throughout this season as they will by SEHA League meet in Champions League as well where they are both placed in Group B. First face-off of the season is already behind them with Meshkov taking a 29:26 victory on home-court as a part of Belgazprombank Cup. Team from Brest is coming to Skopje after finishing second on ‘Kanjiza’ Cup in Serbia.
Vardar have throughout the summer break managed to acquire some players to strengthen their roster a bit like Ivan Cupic, Joan Canellas, Rogerio Oliveira and Vuko Borozan. They have by that also decided to add some youngsters to their roster and we can expect them to get a chance in some matches ahead.
Meshkov have on the other side reinforced as well acquiring Rajko Prodanovic, backs Vladislav Ostroushko and Iman Jamali along with goalie Rade Mijatovic. Several youngsters will also get a chance to show what they can.
Match is scheduled for Tuesday, 20.30 CET.
Raul Gonzalez, Vardar’ coach
We are ahead of new SEHA Gazprom season which will speaking of quality be the best so far. We have 7 or 8 teams which will play in Champions League and catching F4 surely won’t be easy. Vardar’ ambitions remain the same, we want a place on F4 and then we will fight for the title. Our roster has changed a bit and we need our new players to adapt to our style which will take some time. Meshkov Brest is a serious challenge, a team which is growing fast and will be a serious title contender. They have good players like Jamali, Atman, Kristopans and Rutenka and I belive this will be a good test for my team. I expect quality match which our fans will surely enjoy.
Stojance Stoilov, Vardar’ player
New SEHA Gazprom season starts on Tuesday. In case we compare it to previous ones it will surely be the most exciting one ever especially because of Slovenians which will surely contribute to the League a lot. So far it was obvious we will somehow qualify for F4 but now we’ll have to earn it. I consider SEHA Gazprom League the best competition in Europe, apart from CL, because you can’t find so many good clubs in Germany or Spain. Our goal is to play on F4 and bring the trophy back to Skopje after missing it for some years. It means we’ll go for a victory tomorrow against Meshkov Brest.
Serhii Bebeshko, Meshkov’ coach
Last week we’ve faced Vardar in a preparation match on one pre-season Cup and we’ve managed to top them with 29:26. Tomorrow’s match in Skopje will however be a completely different story. It won’t be easy knowing it will be our fourth in five days but I believe we’ll manage to fight well against Vardar and take some points from Macedonian capital.
Vyacheslav Shumak, Meshkov’ player
We want to open SEHA Gazprom League successfully. We however also understand that we’ll play against such a strong team which has performed well against us on Belgazprombank Cup a week ago but I believe they did not show what they really can. I believe we’ll both fight well for the victory tomorrow.