Austrian champion Alpla Hard will have a new opportunity to fight for the place at VELUX EHF Champions League in Novi Sad, Serbia. Austrians will meet host team, RK Vojvodina Novi Sad at semi-finals, which will be a little easier task than last year qualification semi-final match with Macedonian RK Metalurg (19:25) in Norway. Serbian right back in Austrian team Marko Tanasković (28) talks for Handball-Planet.com about their chances to qualify:
– Our heads are already in Novi Sad. We only think how to beat Vojvodina on Saturday. Despite we lost Super Cup against Fivers last weekend, I can tell you that team is in good form. In pre-season we won Sparkassen tournament in Germany with two victories over Bundesliga’s teams, HBW Balingen with 8 goals and Bergischer with +7. We are 100% fit and with high ambition travel to Serbia.
It’s difficult to explain last weekend defeat against Fivers 35:28 at OEHB Super Cup…
– Our game was bad from the first minute of the match. That was one of the worst matches during my three years in Hard. Team didn’t react well also on refferes criterium. That was also one of the reasons for defeat. We managed to get back in the second half, but then we got two exclusions and that was the end…
You know better your compatriots from RK Vojvodina than the rest of the team…
– They play very good defense, especially aggressive 6-0. We are expecting tough match with a lot of fouls, uncertain until the last minute. Both teams have good goalkeepers. That could be also decisive. Almost 80% of all attacking actions depends on Uroš Elezović. He is best attacker there, but of course, we will also watch on the other players. Vojvodina is strong and experienced team. We have our chances. We won’t give up. Hard is the team who can win only if play with 100% capacity. That’s how we play in Austria. That is the only way to success.
Do you “afraid” of domestic fans and atmosphere in Novi Sad?
– We are aware of the fact that the match will be played in Serbia, where is always “hot” for the rivals. Golub (Doknić), Marko (Krsmančić) and me talking to team-mates in order to prepare them for that kind of atmosphere. We don’t afraid, we are brave guys. I can’t wait for the first whistle.
How do you see the second semi-final between Motor – RK Borac?
– Ukrainians beat us at EHF Cup qualifications last season. Motor is really strong team with a few domestic NT players. I heard about bad situation in Banja Luka. Ukrainian team are favorite, definitely.
Austria want team at the European handball elite…
– Of course, that is our dream, but also other teams wish that in Novi Sad. Austrian League is better and better every season. We won two Championships, but becomes more and more difficult because all the teams want to beat us now – concludes Marko Tanasković for Hadnball-Planet.com.
FOTO: ALPLA HARD FACEBOOK
