The formidable undertaking in Ohrid has introduced some well-known handball names from the EHF Champions League and the Bundesliga to the shores of Lake Ohrid, and one in all them is Ante Ivanković. The 25-year-old Croatian left again joined “Biljanini Izvori” final summer season as one of many crew leaders below Serbian coach Boris Rojević. In a dialog with Balkan-Handball.com, Ivanković spoke about his causes for coming to Macedonian handball, whereas additionally providing a small retrospective of his profession that started in Dubrava.
We began very well. I might say we misplaced a degree in opposition to Alkaloid, as a result of we had all the pieces in our palms. Ultimately luck wasn’t on our facet, we conceded a aim within the final second. On the following away match in opposition to Vardar in Skopje, we weren’t on the identical degree defensively as in opposition to Alkaloid. We weren’t aggressive. We had extra time to organize for Alkaloid. The outcome exhibits it – we conceded 24 targets, within the different recreation 33. Now Pelister in Bitola awaits us. Possibly it’s even higher that we obtained away matches in a row whereas all the pieces continues to be recent, in order that we will put together for the house video games. In each match we go for the win. I hope so in Bitola as properly. For us all the pieces is new – the league, the nation – we want time to adapt to the handball right here.
What’s the steadiness of energy within the Macedonian league?
It’s very unusual – enjoying at dwelling provides a full benefit. Whoever performs at dwelling is instantly 20–30% extra of a favourite. It’s arduous to say who’s forward; possibly in December–January we’ll have the ability to choose higher. Everybody performs properly, anybody can take factors from anybody.
How did you see the Vardar–Pelister derby?
A full enviornment in Skopje determined it. Pelister performed properly, Vardar too, however one way or the other that they had the wind at their again from the supporters. That brings extra motivation and power. It helped them win.
How is the Ohrid undertaking creating?
Up to now all the pieces goes because the folks within the membership imagined. Nobody anticipated us to win all away video games. There are ups and downs, 10-minute blackouts whether or not in derbies or in opposition to weaker groups. That’s regular for a crew virtually put collectively three months in the past. We practice, we work, Roje talks each day, will get 100% out of us in essentially the most constructive manner attainable. It appears to be like demanding, however he’s on it 24/7, he has a aim. As for the fellows – the group is top-class, everyone seems to be nice, we’ve blended as a crew, I’m going to coaching with a smile. It’s a pleasure to play right here. Folks from the membership are enthusiastic, they’ve made nice efforts to carry this to such a degree. They selected us, and it’s as much as us to repay that.
With Strmljan, who got here from Hannover, you additionally performed in Celje. Did you rapidly refresh the outdated connection on court docket?
Sure, after all. We’ve transferred rather a lot into the attacking section, protecting some methods from Celje. Now we use them right here, we don’t want to speak a lot, some issues we will kind with only a look.
How is life in Ohrid after Germany?
Oh, it’s been nice these previous few months in summer season. My spouse and I got here on the finish of July. Till final week it was 25–30°C, in mid-September we may nonetheless go to the seaside and swim. The meals is great, the climate, it is a lovely place.
And Stuttgart?
The distinction is large. Germany is Germany – nothing works with out guidelines, all the pieces have to be precise, below the road. As for group and relations, right here all the pieces is extra relaxed. Possibly that’s even higher. The mentality right here fits me extra, I really feel extra relaxed. It’s simpler to go and play.
Are you glad together with your season and a half within the Bundesliga, or may it have been higher?
I can’t flip again time. In life issues come for a purpose, and so it was with Stuttgart. I used to be there a yr and a half, sadly the league is like that, particularly for foreigners and younger gamers. It’s a tricky and unusual league. My very first match was in Kiel – in half an hour I scored 5 targets. After that, six or seven matches with out a single second on the court docket, with out clarification. It was unusual. I gained’t remorse missed possibilities, all the pieces carries one thing. I took some positives, noticed the mentality, the group, performed within the strongest league with the most effective gamers in full arenas. Each match is actually a Champions League match, “performed with a knife.” A phenomenal expertise. Enjoying-wise, I can’t say I’m glad, that’s why I made a decision to take this sort of step. Possibly it appears to be like like a step again, however generally you want that with a view to transfer ahead.
With what ambition did you come to Ohrid? What would you like in North Macedonia?
I hope that in two years we’ll be enjoying within the European League. That’s the aim, that’s my aim – to assist the crew get there. The need is after all first place and to play the Champions League, however the aim ought to be the European League. To play as finest as attainable after which see the place we’re. That’s my aim. To assist the crew and provides all the pieces within the coming interval for that, as a result of it might imply Ohrid is on a European platform that’s extensively watched and the place prime groups play.
Pelister awaits you this weekend? You beat them within the preparation event in Ohrid…
We put together for each recreation aiming for victory. No calculations. Now Jotić is lacking, however we gained’t remorse, we glance ahead, we put together, we practice properly. Now we have good tactical evaluation, video evaluation, we switch that to coaching and we practice nice. A brand new expertise, a brand new problem will probably be to play in such an environment. Within the event Kuzmanovski wasn’t there – he’s their principal power, their key participant, the one who finishes assaults. Their principal attribute is preventing spirit in protection, fueled by the stands. If we cease a part of that, then we’ve got an opportunity – concludes Ante Ivanković.
