For this success, Skrbic pointed out arrival of goalkeeper Dejan Peric from RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko in summer 2004.
In that moment, Peric was at the TOP of career after winning EHF Champions League with Slovenian team in May 2004. His contract, however, „broke the budget“ of handball section of the biggest sports society in the world.
„Arrival of Dejan Peric was crucial for the title. He won title with Celje PL year ago. I remember talk with president of handball club in that time, Joan Marin. He asked me „what we need to win EHF CL?“.
I told him that we need a goalkeeper. He asked me which one? I said „Peric“.
Peric had a valid contract in Celje, he was happy and satisfied there. Then, negotiations began and it was obvious that Peric’s transfer should break the budget of the club for season 2004/2005.
Marin told me to join him in meeting with football club president Joan Laporta, to explain him better, as he couldn’t.
Laporta firstly said „no, we have plan, budget“, and then he asked me to promise that we will win EHF Champions League trophy.
I told him „I can’t promise, but we will win the title“.
At the end it was like that. Peric brought with him winning mentality, focus, stability, this we need although team’s structure was strong. Barrufet and him played match by match, it was very tough for the rivals to score in front of them.
Dejan Peric (50) is now RK Vardar Skopje goalkeeper’s coach. He played at RK Dinamo Pancevo, RK Crvena zvezda, BM Atletico Madrid, RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, FC Barcelona, Telekom Veszprem
