When someone says Marko Kizic, most of SEHA fans first think of Vardar 1961. However, this season Marko Kizic will swap red-and-black jersey for the green one as he joined Eurofarm Pelister this summer. Young goalkeeper decided to move to the city of Bitola and join a team which is serious about securing Macedonian Cup and Championship trophies for the first time in the last 17 years.

Kizic started his career in Vardar 1961 where he was given a chance to see how EHF Champions League and SEHA - Gazprom League feel like. Now, he is ready to prove everyone how good he is and that in the future he can be the first option not only for his club but also for the national team. His first chance to show what he's made of will be on Saturday in the first quarter-final leg against Meshkov Brest.

As the pre-season is finishing, did you manage to get used to the fact you're no longer in Skopje but in Bitola as a member of Vardar's biggest rivals?

When you go through such a change of both a club and living environment, beginnings are always a bit strange. My teammates are however there for me from the very start of my journey here and as the time goes by, I’m getting more and more convinced I’ve made a right choice. My family and friends were supportive of my decision and congratulated me right away and, on the other hand, there were some negative comments from the fans. I however believe I did what is best for me and I’m focusing on the positive side of it.

You’ve already managed to snatch one trophy from Vardar 1961 this season in the Macedonian Super Cup final. What Eurofarm is eyeing are however the other two domestic trophies. Do you feel like the time has come for them to do it after 17 long years?

Goal is to return the title to Bitola, that’s for sure. It will however be a long season, we have a lot of matches to play so it’s hard to make any predictions. I definitely see us going all the way this season and achieving good results in Europe as well.

Although you’re quite young you already have a lot of experience playing for Vardar 1961 and sharing the training court with players like Sterbik, Karacic, Cindric, coach Raul Gonzales, David Davis and Roberto Parrondo. Do you feel like those surroundings helped you mature faster as a player?

I was lucky enough to be surrounded by such names and being able to learn from them on a daily basis definitely means a lot. Having Arpad Sterbik beside you as well as a coach like Goran Simic and Dejan Peric who helped me the most working tirelessly with me for three years definitely means a lot. I tried to steal something from each and every goalkeeper and goalkeeping coach I worked with. Small details can that way help you upgrade your own style.

What is interesting is that Marko Kizic comes from a sports family with his brother Nikola also being a goalkeeper. Handball was however not your first choice, right?

My brother tried a whole lot of different sports before deciding for handball and I only tried karate. I kind of decided to follow him to the handball court and then follow him to the position between the posts because neither one of us started as a goalkeeper.

In Bitola you will share minutes with Marton Szekely in an environment in which of course everyone is expecting for you to progress and get better with time. How do you feel about that?

Marton is a great goalkeeper who I feel like I can learn a lot from. Goal they’ve set for me is to progress, grow as a goalkeeper by working as hard as I can and I believe I can answer that.

First big chance for you guys to show what you’re made of will be on Saturday in the first SEHA quarter-final leg with Meshkov Brest coming to visit. Belarussians are favorites but Eurofarm has already proved to be a tough nut to crack.

Meshkov are considered favorites and we definitely respect them. However, I feel like there is not team we can’t beat in Bitola. I think we can qualify for the SEHA Final 4 tournament although it definitely won’t be easy. I see Veszprem as the biggest favorite to go all the way but we’re hoping to bring the trophy to Bitola. In sports anything is possible.

Where do you see yourself in a few years?

I don’t like to think too far ahead. I’m trying to go step by step, no one knows where life will take him in the next few years. I feel good here and I’d like to stay.