Ante Ivanković: We’re Building Something Big in Ohrid
The ambitious project in Ohrid has brought some well-known handball names from the EHF Champions League and the Bundesliga to the shores of Lake Ohrid, and one of them is Ante Ivanković. The 25-year-old Croatian left back joined “Biljanini Izvori” last summer as one of the team leaders under Serbian coach Boris Rojević. In a conversation with Balkan-Handball.com, Ivanković spoke about his reasons for coming to Macedonian handball, while also offering a small retrospective of his career that began in Dubrava.
We started really well. I would say we lost a point against Alkaloid, because we had everything in our hands. In the end luck wasn’t on our side, we conceded a goal in the last second. On the next away match against Vardar in Skopje, we weren’t at the same level defensively as against Alkaloid. We weren’t aggressive. We had more time to prepare for Alkaloid. The result shows it – we conceded 24 goals, in the other game 33. Now Pelister in Bitola awaits us. Maybe it’s even better that we got away matches in a row while everything is still fresh, so that we can prepare for the home games. In every match we go for the win. I hope so in Bitola as well. For us everything is new – the league, the country – we need time to adapt to the handball here.
What is the balance of power in the Macedonian league?
It’s very strange – playing at home gives a full advantage. Whoever plays at home is immediately 20–30% more of a favorite. It’s hard to say who’s ahead; maybe in December–January we’ll be able to judge better. Everyone plays well, anyone can take points from anyone.
How did you see the Vardar–Pelister derby?
A full arena in Skopje decided it. Pelister played well, Vardar too, but somehow they had the wind at their back from the supporters. That brings more motivation and strength. It helped them win.
How is the Ohrid project developing?
So far everything is going as the people in the club imagined. No one expected us to win all away games. There are ups and downs, 10-minute blackouts whether in derbies or against weaker teams. That’s normal for a team practically put together three months ago. We train, we work, Roje talks every day, gets 100% out of us in the most positive way possible. It looks demanding, but he is on it 24/7, he has a goal. As for the guys – the group is top-class, everyone is great, we’ve blended as a team, I go to training with a smile. It’s a joy to play here. People from the club are enthusiastic, they’ve made great efforts to bring this to such a level. They chose us, and it’s up to us to repay that.
With Strmljan, who came from Hannover, you also played in Celje. Did you quickly refresh the old connection on court?
Yes, of course. We’ve transferred a lot into the attacking phase, keeping some tricks from Celje. Now we use them here, we don’t need to talk much, some things we can sort with just a glance.
How is life in Ohrid after Germany?
Oh, it’s been great these past few months in summer. My wife and I came at the end of July. Until last week it was 25–30°C, in mid-September we could still go to the beach and swim. The food is excellent, the weather, this is a beautiful place.
And Stuttgart?
The difference is huge. Germany is Germany – nothing works without rules, everything must be exact, under the line. As for organization and relations, here everything is more relaxed. Maybe that’s even better. The mentality here suits me more, I feel more relaxed. It’s easier to go and play.
Are you satisfied with your season and a half in the Bundesliga, or could it have been better?
I can’t turn back time. In life things come for a reason, and so it was with Stuttgart. I was there a year and a half, unfortunately the league is like that, especially for foreigners and young players. It’s a tough and strange league. My very first match was in Kiel – in half an hour I scored five goals. After that, six or seven matches without a single second on the court, without explanation. It was strange. I won’t regret missed chances, everything carries something. I took some positives, saw the mentality, the organization, played in the strongest league with the best players in full arenas. Every match is literally a Champions League match, “played with a knife.” A beautiful experience. Playing-wise, I can’t say I’m satisfied, that’s why I decided to take this kind of step. Maybe it looks like a step back, but sometimes you need that in order to move forward.
With what ambition did you come to Ohrid? What do you want in North Macedonia?
I hope that in two years we’ll be playing in the European League. That’s the goal, that’s my goal – to help the team get there. The desire is of course first place and to play the Champions League, but the goal should be the European League. To play as best as possible and then see where we are. That’s my goal. To help the team and give everything in the coming period for that, because it would mean Ohrid is on a European platform that is widely watched and where top teams play.
Pelister awaits you this weekend? You beat them in the preparation tournament in Ohrid…
We prepare for every game aiming for victory. No calculations. Now Jotić is missing, but we won’t regret, we look forward, we prepare, we train well. We have good tactical analysis, video analysis, we transfer that to training and we train great. A new experience, a new challenge will be to play in such an atmosphere. In the tournament Kuzmanovski wasn’t there – he’s their main strength, their key player, the one who finishes attacks. Their main characteristic is fighting spirit in defense, fueled by the stands. If we stop part of that, then we have a chance – concludes Ante Ivanković.
