Georgievski: ‘I feel like we’re on the rise – the goal is to defeat Vojvodina in Novi Sad!’

Goce Georgievski

On Tuesday evening we’ll find out which team will be the second to secure the SEHA – Gazprom League final tournament ticket, with Novi Sad hosting the second leg between Vojvodina and Vardar 1961. The match is scheduled for 16.30 CEST.

The ‘Red&Blacks’ are arriving to Novi Sad with a big 13-goal advantage, but also without some of their key players like Borko Ristovski, Stojance Stoilov, and Darko Djukic. After such a dominant display in the first leg, it is clear that coach Vlado Nedanovski and his guys will do everything to keep the lead, and secure another SEHA – Gazprom League final tournament appearance for Macedonian Vardar 1961.

After a really good group stage of the season, Vojvodina’s coach Boris Rojevic and his guys surely weren’t thinking they will be aiming to overcome such a huge deficit in the second quarter-final leg. Due to some injuries, and the tight schedule they are dealing with at the moment, they were forced to travel to Skopje with a mixed roster that featured many younger players, and Vardar managed to take full advantage of that. Their roster will surely look better in this one, however overcoming such a deficit will be a really hard task for them. What works in their favor is the fact they are yet to lose a match at home in SEHA – Gazprom League this season, with remarkable home outings against Nexe, and Eurofarm Pelister.

Does Vojvodina have what it takes to keep the winning streak at home alive against Vardar 1961, or will the ‘Red&Blacks’ deliver another statement, and prove that they are on the rise with the key part of the season ahead of us? We’ll find out everything on Tuesday, so make sure not to miss this one!

Boris Rojevic, Vojvodina coach:
We’ve never had to play so many matches in a single season, and we are simply forced to think long-term. We have a goal to defend the title in Serbia, as well as to try and prolong this historic EHF Cup run for as much as possible. On the other hand, you’re always highly-motivated when facing a team like Vardar, a former European champion. We still have to see who will be available for this one, but we’ll strive for the best possible result no matter who ends up being selected for the match. Winning is always a goal, regardless of who is standing on the opposits side of the court.

Luka Rogan, Vojvodina player:
The tempo we’ve found ourselves in the middle of is really hard to deal with. Less than 48 hours ago we’ve had a match against Zvezda, and we’re travelling to Sweden in only a couple of days. No matter all that, we are always happy to play such a team. Playing at home, I hope we’ll find a way to reach a better result than in the first leg.

Vlado Nedanovski, Vardar 1961 coach:
We don’t have much time to waste, as we have a really tight schedule ahead of us. We’re coming to Novi Sad with a big advantage in our pocket, and we’ll be fully focused on making the final tournament. We have to be aware of the fact that they arrived to Skopje without some of their key players, and in this one we’ll be without Borko Ristovski, Stojance Stoilov, and Darko Djukic. Our goal will once again be to take control of the match as early as possible, and impose our rhythm.

Goce Georgievski, Vardar 1961 player:
I feel like we’ve started to get used to this tempo that we’re dealing with which is obviously good with the key part of the season being right around the corner. Vojvodina delivered a solid outing in Skopje, and I’m sure they will be aiming to defeat us in Serbia which is just another reason why we’re really taking this match serious. Our goal is to win the match!