Marguč: "As big as the universe!"

At Slovenia’s club RK Celje Pivovarna Laško some changes happened in the recent past. As experienced players left the club, some young players were moved up from the team of B-Celje to the "European" team.

For the young players, responsibility is huge, which is hard to cope with. But it is also a unique opportunity to prove their abilities.

One of Celje’s young players who showed a superb performance is right wing Gašper Marguč. He talked to ehfcl.com about his opportunity in the first team, the upcoming match against Barcelona, and Celje’s last chance to go into the Last 16 of the VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League.

ehfcl.com: Since January young players have a major role in the club, how do you cope with that?

Gasper Marguč: After so many players left Celje we had to take over their positions. It depends on every individual how to cope with the new role and of course the pressure coming with it. I am trying with all my strength to give as much as possible to the team. And luckily, I can be satisfied.

ehfcl.com: How difficult was the quick step forward in your handball career?

Gasper Marguč: You know, moving from the B-league straight to the VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League is as big as the universe. We are, after all, talking about the highest possible handball level. The gap between the league we are coming from and the new challenge is so big you couldn’t imagine. But that is how it is, we got the opportunity, and we learn good lessons for the future.

ehfcl.com: Your opponents in your first matches in the VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League are big names. How was your match at the title holders in Kiel?

Gasper Marguč: It was like a dream coming true. I know for sure that all young players want to play against Kiel. They are a synonym for handball. What can I say to playing in front of ten thousand spectators? Wow, fantastic!

ehfcl.com: You are very close to secure the qualification to the Last 16. But first a home game against Barcelona is waiting for you, can you be a tough rival for the Catalans?

Gasper Marguč: We have nothing to lose, so we just have to start relaxed and full of confidence. The game against Vive Targi Kielce was the most important for us. Against the Polish team we did what we had to, even though nobody really expected us to beat Bogdan Wenta's team. The same thing can be applied for the match against Barca. If there is the slightest possibility, you never now what will happen in the Zlatorog sports hall.

ehfcl.com: Do you think the other results in Group A will be in your favour?

Gasper Marguč: Mainly we want to try to surprise Barcelona, but we also hope that fortune will be on our side. I’ guess we’ll have to wait and see the other results in our group.

ehfcl.com: What does Celje's have to improve in the last match of the Group Phase?

Gasper Marguč: Definitively we have had a lot of open space in defence. But everybody could see against Kielce that we can be successful, if we stand closer together in defence.

ehfcl.com: How much of a tragedy would Celje not qualifying for the Last 16 be for the club, the city, you and the fans?

Gasper Marguč: If we manage to make it to the Last 16, it would bring top level games to Slovenia and give us younger players even more experience. Bus if we failed to qualify, it would not be a tragedy. There is no pressure at all put on us within the club.