Kukic: ‘’We’ll try to use Celje’s fatigue but they remain favorites despite of that!’’

Draga Kukic

Serbian champions Vojvodina Novi Sad will try to escape the bottom of the SEHA - Gazprom League table at the end of November surprising one of League’s best teams Celje Pivovarna Lasko in front of their fans in Slana bara sports hall. Match is scheduled for Tuesday (18.00 CET). Despite of series of bad results, five-time in a row Serbian champs will do everything to prepare in the best possible way for Round 8 match against favored Slovenians who played an intensive match against German Kiel (27:28) just 48 before the kick-off on Tuesday.

Situation on the other hand seems to be pretty hard for Slovenians who need a win in Novi Sad in order to stay active in Final 4 race, especially after a draw against Nexe Nasice in the last rounds.

Dragan Kukic, Vojvodina head coach:
We are playing against a team which is a consistent member of EHF Champions League and which recently defeated Kiel. They have at least two good players on each position but our goal will be to try to use their fatigue in our advantage. It will however be far from easy, they are absolute favorites. We hope to deliver a good game.

Igor Cagalj, Vojvodina line-player:
If we take into consideration that Celje delivered two great performances against Kiel lately we must be aware they are favorites. However, there is no need to rely on that and surrender any time before the final whistle. Goal is to play the best possible match in front of our fans.

Branko Tamse, Celje Pivovarna Lasko coach:
Match against Kiel is still in our heads. However, today is a new day and we are travelling to Novi Sad to play Vojvodina which is a mix of experienced players like Vuckovic and Nadoveza, and young players from which I’d like to highlight Jovanovic as one of the most talented back players. They also have very quick wing players and they can play very good. We are favorites in this match but we are aware that it is going to be very hard. We are physically and emotionally exhausted, but we want to win in this one. We will have to play like in our recent Champions League matches which won’t be easy with many players likely ending up sidelined in this one. Mackovsek is ready for defense only, Mitrovic is, of course, out along with all Ziga Mlakar, Urban Lesjak and Jaka Malus. We have only fourteen players available for this match and they will have to take this opportunity to perform on the highest level.

Kristijan Beciri, Celje Pivovarna Lasko line-player:
It is hard since it has been only few hours after the match against Kiel. We are of course tired but at the same time favorites against Vojvodina. Nonetheless, we are already travelling there although we actually could not analyze them due to the match against Kiel. I can’t say much at the time but what I can say is that despite of all the troubles we’re dealing with at the moment goal remains the same - we want to win this.

Match will be broadcasted on Arena Sport channels as well as on Sport TV (Slovenia).