Veselin Vujovic returns to Zagreb as 'Lions' welcome Zeleznicar
After the exhausting national team week it is once again time for some regional SEHA - Gazprom League handball. In what will be a tough match for both sides, as it is scheduled only two days after the end of the national team week, PPD Zagreb will in Sutinska vrela sports hall on Tuesday (19.00 CET) welcome Zeleznicar Nis. Match will be especially interesting because Veselin Vujovic left a huge mark as PPD Zagreb' coach and is always welcomed warmly in Croatian capital, even when he arrives as opponent team coach. Can coach Vujovic and his players keep up the positive streak and reach third SEHA - Gazprom League victory in a row or will severely exhausted Zagreb manage to find some additional energy and motivation to reach a win which would help them remain on top of the standings? Make sure not to miss this one!
Lino Cervar, PPD Zagreb coach:
Match against Zeleznicar Nis is ahead of us tomorrow and considering the situation it definitely won't be an easy one after we've spent seven days travelling all around Europe for the national team week. However, we have what we have and the goal is to give our best against the team from Nis and hopefully reach three new points.
David Mandic, PPD Zagreb player:
Tough match is ahead of us because we have a lot of players who were with their national teams during the last week and we're all exhausted. That's why I believe younger players will get a chance to prove what they're capable of on Tuesday. Goal is to prove why we're given the favorite role in this one and then start preparing for the match against Nantes in CL scheduled for this weekend.
Veselin Vujovic, Zeleznicar coach:
Tough match, in a tough moment against a tough opponent is ahead of us. PPD Zagreb are clear favorites in this one, especially because we are coming to Zagreb really weakened without Predrag Vejin and with exhausted Sretenovic, Milosavljevic and Potkonjak. Considering Zagreb, apart from Horvat, there are not many players left there from when I used to coach them but I'm still in touch with them and I still consider them to be 'my club' in some way. I repeat, right now, Zagreb are clear favorites but we'll see how the situation develops in the next year or so.
Aleksa Kljajic, Zeleznicar player:
Due to national team obligations coach Vujovic and some players were absent in the last ten days. Players who stayed in Nis however worked very hard. PPD Zagreb are clearly favorites in this one and we have nothing to lose which might prove to be useful for us. It however won't be easy to play a solid match with only one training session but we have what we have and we'll definitely look to give our best despite of everything.