Sixty minutes from glory: HC Ohrid one step away from European trophy
Sixty minutes stand between Ohrid and a European trophy on Sunday evening. If, just a year ago, someone had predicted that a club which practically did not exist on the European map, with only two wins in two European seasons up to now, would have a match point for the EHF Cup trophy in front of its own fans, going into the return leg with a one-goal advantage, they would have become a millionaire.
Ohrid have travelled a long road this season. They became an equal member of the top four in Macedonian handball, came close to winning the Cup, finished third in the championship, and now, for complete success, they need to remain unbeaten in the final hour against Tatabánya.
“Several weeks ago, you wrote that we were the ‘hit of the season’, and I think that is the right expression. We are a hit, although we did not expect it to look quite like this. We did hope that we could play well in Europe. Everything came together — the coaching staff, the players, the management — and we have a perfect atmosphere. I don’t think there is a better atmosphere in any club than the one we have in Ohrid. That is what brought us here,” said Ohrid director Slavco Ristevki, two days before the grand finale of the season.
“We are extremely happy with this result. It was not expected that already in the first season of the project with Boris Rojević we would reach the fight for a trophy, lose the Cup final by one ball, and stay in the race for second place in the championship until the final round. Our goal was third place, and we secured that six or seven rounds before the end of the season. We are very satisfied with the whole season, but also extremely motivated — everyone in and around the team — to finish it with a trophy. It will be very difficult, but the boys will give everything they can to make it happen.”
The hall was sold out in 15 minutes. Tickets have been unavailable for around ten days. The handball euphoria in Ohrid has reached its peak this spring.
“You could see everything by the speed at which the tickets were sold. Just six or seven months ago, we were struggling to sell tickets. Many were being handed out, and sponsors were being encouraged to come and follow the matches. Now we are in a situation where, for European matches and domestic derbies, we sell out the hall in two days, then in two hours, and now even faster — the final in 15 minutes. If we had an arena with 6,000 seats, it would certainly be sold out again. EHF vice-president Predrag Bošković and Markus Glaser will attend the match. It is a historic moment, and we want as many people as possible to be part of the spectacle. There will also be support outside the hall for all those who were unable to get tickets. We will have a video screen where they will be able to watch the match. A DJ will start the build-up from 17:30. I hope we will be able to bring the trophy out in front of the fans outside the hall around 22:00, when everything is over.”
Tatabánya certainly will not be coming to Ohrid waving a white flag.
“In Hungary, we played our best first half of the season. We are analysing, talking — and it is better to have a one-goal advantage than three or four, because then maybe we would think everything was already over, and the fans might think the same, while in reality that is not the case. I still believe Tatabánya are the stronger team, but our desire is greater. On Sunday, the greater desire will win. We start from 0:0, not from 1:0. That is how we have to think. With the help of our fans, who will be the wind at our backs, we hope to celebrate.”
The final match marks only the end of the first stage of the project. What comes next for Ohrid?
“I have to say that we are going step by step, just as we announced this project. This final is ten steps forward. We can also see that through the sponsors who are contacting us, wanting to be part of this story, to have their place on the LED boards or the Gerflor court. We are raising the story to a higher level with the help of the Mayor, who supported the club selflessly from the very beginning. Ohrid will play many finals and win trophies — I am sure of that.”
