Nikolić joins Zvezda

Russian Women's EHF Champions League qualifier Zvezda from Zvenigorod has signed a contract with one of the best playmakers in Europe, Julija Nikolić (29).

Nikolić (best known as Portjanko) is a player with Ukrainian origins but a Macedonian passport. Over the past few years, she has been playing for the Macedonian national team.

Nikolić is an experienced player and was under contract with former EHF Champions League winner Macedonian RK Kometal Djorce Petrov from Skopje (2003-2009). She started her proffesional career at the Ukrainian team Galichanka (2000-2003).

When she played for the French team Arvor from Brest (2009-2012) Nikolić was voted best playmaker of the strong French championship twice in a row. She also won the French championship with Arvor but due financial debts the French team was relegated to the second league and lost a historical chance to participate at the Women's EHF Champions League in the upcoming season.

Nikolić Ex-Portjankois an experienced player since she played for one of the best teams like former EHF Champions League winner Macedonian RK Kometal Djorce Petrov from Skopje (2002, finalist in 2005) where she played from 2003 until 2009. She began her proffesional career at the Ukrainian team Galichanka (2000-2003).

However playing in the women’s elite is still possible for Nikolić since her new team has a place at the Women's EHF Champions League Wild Card Tournament with French team Issy Paris Handball and German HC Leipzig.

The Wild Card Tournament will take place on Friday 21, Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 September 2012.

Friday, 21 September:    HC Leipzig – Issy Paris Handball
Saturday, 22 September: Zvezda - HC Leipzig
Sunday, 23 September:   Issy Paris Handball  - Zvezda

The winner will join Group D in the Group Matches, playing defending champions, Buducnost (MNE) and Thüringer HC (GER) as well as the winner of the Qualification Tournament 1.