Valcic: ‘’Each player will give his best for the first win over Veszprem!’’
Valčić: ‘’Svaki će igrač dati maksimum za prvu pobjedu protiv Veszprema!’’
PPD Zagreb will on Saturday (17.00 CET) in Varaždin Arena host Hungarian Telekom Veszprem - reigning SEHA Gazprom League champions and European vice-champions. It will surely be a real derby, clash of big rivals and a chance for Zagreb to score the first win over Veszprem in SEHA Gazprom League. A week ago Hungarians have played 28:28 draw against Vardar at home meaning that Macedonians have managed to keep the gap on League’s table opened which also means this match against PPD Zagreb will be of big importance for Veszprem. ‘Lions’ on the other side have the same amount of points as Hungarians but have also played a match more. It is however sure that Silvio Ivandija’s players will all try hard to deliver a good performance after the loss against Gorenje in the last round. Can PPD Zagreb reach first SEHA win over Veszprem or will Hungarian domination in clashes of these two great rivals continue even after the duel in Varazdin?
Silvio Ivandija, PPD Zagreb coach:
Another tough match is ahead of us. We’re preparing for Zagreb after a bad outing in Velenje. What we have to change from that loss in Slovenia is performance of our back line. Against Gorenje they’ve all together attempted 37 shots scoring only 12 goals which is way too low. By that we’re having injury issues with Luka Sebetic being sidelined for the match due to an ankle injury and Stipe Mandalinic feeling soreness in his leg. Anyhow, that only means that all available players will have to deliver their best performance in order to catch a good result against Veszprem. Hungarians are known as a team which can play good, aggressive 6-0 defense and we’ll have to respond in the same manner when facing their back players. The fact is also that they are at the moment not on the peak of their form and I believe that with fully crowded Varazdin hall we’ll stand a chance for a good result.
Josip Valcic, PPD Zagreb player:
We are a bit tired with injuries being a problem for us at the moment and that’s why we’ll need our eighth player - our great Varazdin fans who have already against Kielce proved what they’re capable of. I’d like to invite them all to come and support us against a big team, SEHA League reigning champions and European vice-champions. I feel like we’re doing a good job, preparing well and I know each player will give his best to beat Veszprem for the first time.
Xavi Sabaté, Telekom Veszprem coach:
It is always very difficult to play against Zagreb, especially away. They have a very good team which plays in Champions League as well. They have a lot of young talents who are improving from season to season. They did not start the season well but they are getting better and better since. I am sure fans will see a great, tough and exciting match between these two teams again.
László Nagy, Telekom Veszprem player:
After the arrival of their new head coach Zagreb seem to be even more aggressive and motivated and are having much more freedom in attack. They have some good results recently.Their roster is full of talented young players and several great, excellent ones. Obviously we will face a very aggressive team and defense which means we must prepare thoroughly for everything.
Silvio Ivandija, PPD Zagreb coach:
Another tough match is ahead of us. We’re preparing for Zagreb after a bad outing in Velenje. What we have to change from that loss in Slovenia is performance of our back line. Against Gorenje they’ve all together attempted 37 shots scoring only 12 goals which is way too low. By that we’re having injury issues with Luka Sebetic being sidelined for the match due to an ankle injury and Stipe Mandalinic feeling soreness in his leg. Anyhow, that only means that all available players will have to deliver their best performance in order to catch a good result against Veszprem. Hungarians are known as a team which can play good, aggressive 6-0 defense and we’ll have to respond in the same manner when facing their back players. The fact is also that they are at the moment not on the peak of their form and I believe that with fully crowded Varazdin hall we’ll stand a chance for a good result.
Josip Valcic, PPD Zagreb player:
We are a bit tired with injuries being a problem for us at the moment and that’s why we’ll need our eighth player - our great Varazdin fans who have already against Kielce proved what they’re capable of. I’d like to invite them all to come and support us against a big team, SEHA League reigning champions and European vice-champions. I feel like we’re doing a good job, preparing well and I know each player will give his best to beat Veszprem for the first time.
Xavi Sabaté, Telekom Veszprem coach:
It is always very difficult to play against Zagreb, especially away. They have a very good team which plays in Champions League as well. They have a lot of young talents who are improving from season to season. They did not start the season well but they are getting better and better since. I am sure fans will see a great, tough and exciting match between these two teams again.
László Nagy, Telekom Veszprem player:
After the arrival of their new head coach Zagreb seem to be even more aggressive and motivated and are having much more freedom in attack. They have some good results recently.Their roster is full of talented young players and several great, excellent ones. Obviously we will face a very aggressive team and defense which means we must prepare thoroughly for everything.