David Špiler: "I hope it will feel like at home"

The importance of the European Championship in Serbia can be seen on faces of the Slovenian players. The young team has few experienced players to shoulder the responsibility in preliminary group D in Vršac.

The Slovenian national team started preparations for the EHF EURO 2012 in Zreče, Slovenia, at the end of October. Head coach Bori Denič decided on two training sessions per day, but no official friendly games. The younger players who are taking over important roles need to learn a lot before January. The older, more experienced players will be their leaders in Serbia. One of those is David Špiler, a member of the Zagreb team, who has played 93 times for the national team, scoring 225 goals.

ehf-euro.com: You’ve already spent one week together, and as you didn’t play any friendly matches, what was the main emphasis?

David Špiler: We were mainly focused on attack, practicing moves against different defensive formations. We repeated some old moves and tried some new ones. These preparations were the first part of our analyses of our Preliminary Group opponents. It will be much easier when the final training sessions for the big tournament start, but we’ve already covered a lot of the basics.

ehf-euro.com: At EHF EURO 2012, Slovenia will be playing in group D against Norway, Croatia and Iceland. Would you say the teams are pretty equal?

David Špiler: We will have to show that. We all play three games against three teams, so, in effect, we are equal. Things often look straightforward on paper, but at big tournaments, anything can happen. I’m sure we can defeat everyone in our group. The Slovenian team has great potential, and we must realize that.

ehf-euro.com: It’s a difficult group for you, though, do you agree?

David Špiler: Well, all groups are difficult in European Championships. I think it’s the most prestigious and difficult competition in the world. Only the strongest teams are competing, and whoever you play against is really good.

ehf-euro.com: So, when you say that Slovenia has great potential, do you mean the young players?

David Špiler: I mean that we have great potential with regard to spirit and fighting hard for success. And yes, also with regard to the young players who showed their stamina in the qualification stage of the tournament. I can honestly say that we haven’t shown half of our knowledge and spirit up to this point. I hope that the EURO will provide the perfect stage for us to correct this.

ehf-euro.com: Vršac is only five hours from Slovenia. Could it be a 'home ground' for you?

David Špiler: As I heard, a lot of fans are planning to come to Serbia to support us. I honestly hope that Slovenians will come to Vršac and Belgrade to enjoy the cities, the country, and the games in January. That would be really important for us, and would help us to feel as if we are at home. I can only say, to those who don’t have tickets yet, that they should buy them now and come with us to Serbia!

ehf-euro.com: Your primary aim is to enter the Main Round, but an Olympic ticket is surely also something you are thinking about…

David Špiler: We will go step by step, one game at a time. Of course, we wish to enter the second phase with as many points as possible, but we won’t worry about that too much as each and every game is specific. Our main goal is to win every match. And yes, somewhere in our subconscious, the Olympic dream is hidden!

ehf-euro.com: Do you feel any pressure from your fans or the Slovenian Handball Federation?

David Špiler: If there is pressure, it only comes from us. We, ourselves make the pressure, as we’re not going to the European Championship only to make up the numbers. We’re going there for victories. 

Further information

Download the Official EHF EURO 2012 Playing Schedule (pdf)

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