Ivandija: ''Match against NEXE is our first chance to confirm F4 placement!''
Hrvatski derbi u Našicama
King Tomislav sports hall will on Tuesday (19.00
CET) host another Croatian SEHA derby between NEXE and PPD Zagreb. This will
also be NEXE's last SEHA Gazprom home match this season with the match against
Metalurg next week being last one of the year for NEXE in the regional league.
Teams are entering the derby with quite fidderent ambitions and expectations.
PPD Zagreb are on one side looking for a quality match to prolong the winning
streak and grab SEHA F4 ticket and NEXE are on the other eager to finish the
regular part of the season on sixth place. Good news for NEXE coach Hrvoje
Horvat is that he will have all players healthy and available for the match.
Hrvoje
Horvat, NEXE coach:
This is Croatian derby but it is not much
different than any other match for us. We will play against one of five best
teams in SEHA Gazprom League and we must be very patient. PPD Zagreb have got
excellent 5-1 defense with Vori in front so we're already preparing for that. I
expect a good match in front of fully-packed hall on Tuesday.
Mirko
Herceg, NEXE player:
I am sure the match will prove it's title -
Croatian derby and provide a great excitimement for all the fans. We will play
in front of our fans so we have to look at it as an advantage. In case we
manage to deliver the performance like we did against Gorenje we will have a
chance.
Silvio
Ivandija, PPD Zagreb coach:
After our victory against Kristianstad we are
still in good series of positive results which we'd obviouly like to keep
before decisive matches. Nasice is our first chance to confirm Final Four. The
rhythm is however very strong for us at the moment, we're experiencing quite a
lot of problems and our rivals will surely be very motivated. Victory in Nasice
would help us keep the peace and stay calm at the moment.
David
Miklavcic, PPD Zagreb player:
This week we will play two very demanding
matches. In Nasice they are eager to prove everyone they can beat us and our
wish on the other side is to show that we are the best team in Croatia. My
opinion is that there are no favorites in a derby. It's important to win this
ahead of trip to Szeged and home match against Celje PL.