Nexe on the hunt for their first points against Vardar

Vardar

Just 48 hours after their triumph against Porto Sofarma in the EHF Champions League, reigning SEHA - Gazprom League champions, Vardar will face a new challenge on the home court. On Tuesday, 24th of September at 8:45 PM (CET), they will meet with the Croatian vice-champions, Nexe. SC Jane Sandanski will once again be the place of action where loyal fans will have the chance to cheer for their favourite team. 

The tradition in mutual duels is on the Vardar’s side. Home team have won all matches so far in Skopje since 2013. In all 12 matches they played in the  SEHA – Gazprom League up to this day, the Croatian vice-champion have won twice. Their last clash was in March, when Vardar took the points.

Vardar coach David Pisonero confirmed that younger players will have the chance to step on the court in this match. Captain Stojanche Stoilov is still out of squad due to injure.

Nexe will miss Mario Tomic, who is in Qatar, and Ivan Vida is out of the squad due to appendicitis, while Halil Jaganjac and Ivan Srsen have minor shoulder problems.

David Pisonero,Vardar coach:
In a short period of time we will play a new match, this time in the SEHA League against Nexe. Yesterday with Porto we had a tough match in the Champions League and I expect a tough match tomorrow as well. Winning is the most important thing for us, but we also want to give more players a chance to play. Especially the young players in the squad, but it all depends on how the match is going to be, because Nexе are a good team. I would like all three pivots to play tomorrow as well as many young players as we have a tight schedule this season.

Timur Dibirov, Vardar player:
Although they lost their first two matches in the SEHA – Gazprom League, Nexe are a very good team. They were not fortunate after losing several important players such as Sipic and Gadja, which is the reason for the poor start, but I think they will play much better in the future matches. In the past they were always a difficult opponent for us and well motivated against Vardar. Also, Nexe have their own style of play and it will not be easy for us even though we are favourites. I hope everything will be fine for us and as the coach said, everyone should get a chance since we have matches every third day and we need to use more players in rotation to be in good shape.

Hrvoje Horvat, Nexe coach:
We are pleased that we will play against the reigning European and SEHA Champions, however, we still have a plenty of things to do. We will try to improve certain aspects of our play. We have done a lot of training in defense and attack, and I believe we will show a good play in our away match in Skopje. 

Mihailo Radovanovic, Nexe player:
This will be the toughest away match so far. We will arrive in Skopje without much pressure and I think we can secure the points. We will have a motive to do so.