Two newcomers clash at the start of the 9th SEHA season

Motor - Eurofarm

The newcomers from Bitola, Eurofarm Rabotnik will start their SEHA journey against another newcomers, Russian Spartak on Wednesday, 4thof September at 8:45 PM (CET). 

On the start of the new season, Eurofarm will play without Anze Ratajec due to ligaments injury. Coach Stevce Alushovski will have to find a replacement soon as Ratajec will miss most of the season. The amazing goalie Nikola Mitrevski also has a minor injury which can cause some problems to the coach Stevce Alushovski. Besides that, the team from Bitola had a very successful pre-season as they finished second at tournament in Struga and in Doboj. 

During the summer, Eurofarm signed several new players; Croatian international and former PPD Zagreb's centre back, Lovro Jotic, Marin VegarBojan Madzovski, Olexandr Shevelev as well as Nikola Mitrevski. On the other hand, Filip Kuzmanovski and left back Dejan Pecakovski have left the club.

Spartak are also going to compete in the SEHA – Gazprom League for the first time. But with well-known names such as Inal Aflitulin and Alexander Dereven who previously played in our League, they can hope for the best. Besides them, another key player will be thirty-seven years old Dmitry Kovalev, a top scorer on the domestic court from the previous season. 

Stevce Alushovski, Eurofarm Rabotnik coach
It is a great pleasure to be a part of the SEHA family. I think that we are ready for this challenge. Our goal is to be competative in every match and I believe it is realistic to finish the group phase on the fourth position. We will be fully motivated against all teams. Our concentration is just on the match against Spartak. We know their qualities, players like Dereven and Kovalev. With our fans, we are optimistic for a good start.

Goce Ojleski, Eurofarm Rabotnik player
This will be a historical moment for our club. After two months of preparations and two tournaments we are looking forward to the official matches. Spartak are a great team, full of players from the national team who are motivated just like us. But, every team will have a tough time in Bitola. I hope the arena will be full of our loud fans and that we will reach the historical first win in the League.  

Igor Levshin,Spartak coach:
Our travel from Sweden to Macedonia was very hard, but now all players had a little rest and are ready for the trainings and opening match. We are very thankful for Eurofarm for their warm and friendly welcome here in Bitola! Bitola is a beautiful town, we are happy to be here. It will be the first experience in SEHA – Gazprom League for both sides, and we are very exited for the upcoming match.

Igor Radojevic, Spartak player: 
Two days ago we played in Sweden and did not have much time to prepare. I know the Balkan’s game style, and I know many players from there. I think that, in Eurofarm's team, their left back is the most dangerous player- if we stop him, we can win.