Vardar hosting a derby with history on their side

Традицијата е против Мешков - во Скопје секогаш победува Вардар

Vardar

After victory in their EHF Champions League matches this weekend, both teams Vardar and Meshkov Brest will try to prolong their winning atmosphere in SEHA Gazprom League's game scheduled for Wednesday (17.45 CET) in Skopje.

Few days ago Vardar have managed to reach an amazing victory versus Kielce and Meshkov were better than Porto which has kept both teams on top of their respective groups. Tough game surely is to expect especially with Vardar losing first match in the League this season less than 10 days ago against PPD Zagreb (25:30). However, players are back in winning mood and the only question remaining is whether they will show it on court. 

Clubs have so far in SEHA Gazprom League met eight times with Macedonians celebrating five times and Belarus team reaching a positive end three times including semi-final victory in their last season's F4 clash. 

Tradition says that it was always the home-team managing to take full bags from matches in Skopje in their mutual encounters. Vardar however currently have certain problems with Alem Toskić who will miss the match as well as with Timur Dibirov and Danil Shishkarev whose appearance in clash against Meshkov is still under a question mark. Stojanče Stoilov and Alexandr Dereven conclude Macedonian team's injury list.

Raul Gonzalez, Vardar’s coach:

We will tomorrow play against Brest which is a good team with several excellent players. This is of course a very important match for us with Meshkov being one of our biggest rival in F4 race this season. We've on Sunday achieved another important win in CL against Kielce leaving us with a few injured players and a bit tired. However, our advantage is our home-court and amazing fans whose presence I expect to bring us towards another victory. 

Filip Lazarov, Vardar’s player:

I agree with our coach. We're facing an important encounter against a team which fully deserves to play in CL. They have a quality roster which is performing even better with new coach and it won't be easy. We obviously have some injured players and it makes the situation a bit harder for us but we hae to think positive and do everything to celebrate.

Sergii Bebeshko, Meshkov’s coach:

We've played one of the best matches so far this season last weekend in CL but now we will face even tougher challenge going to Skopje to play Vardar. We have a bit of injury problems but that only means that other players have to step up and show their best. Attacking patience and imaginative solutions might win us this! Vardar of course are a strong team, leaders of their CL group with one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Surely big contenders for F4 tournament.

Vitaly Charapenka, Meshkov’s player:

It's normal for us to play two games in a week. Last Saturday we were enthusiastic about victory against Porto. I hope we will keep this positive mood till the important game against Vardar. They are strong and play at home but we'll fight to the end and try to get the victory.