Goluža: In three years this Zagreb team can be on top of Europe

HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb went into the new season with a totally rearranged squad.

Right before the beginning of season Balić, Kopljar, Gojun, Štrlek, Šego, Vukić, Pešić and Gal left.

They were all very important for Zagreb due to their experience and handball knowledge. But this situation opened the door to the first team for young players.

And they have carried on pretty well so far this season.

Lacking a bit of luck in some tight games meant some tight losses, that it would have been a lot better but it has not been a bad start.

With three points in the first five matches, it has been a very good return for this young team with Croatian National Team coach Slavko Goluža looking ahead. Goluža speaks to ehfCL.com.

ehfCL.com: What do you think about Zagreb's performance in this season's VELUX EHF Champions League? Do you think that it could have been better?

Slavko Goluža: We carry on with what we have. And we have a very young team which has its pros and cons. One of the biggest cons is the inexperience. Some players became very important for us overnight.

Everything takes time. As the famous basketball coach Božo Maljković said, only birth-rate can rise overnight. So we have to be patient and sometimes it's not easy.

In Minsk and Scahffhausen we lost two points at the final whistle, and in Berlin we were really very close. One ball decided the game. I think that we're progressing, and that is the most important thing. I just want to keep it that way. In three seasons we'll have a team to fight for the title.

ehfCL.com: What are the biggest problems with the team?

Slavko Goluža: Some of this season key players weren't even here last year. Mandalinić played in Karlovac, Stepančić was injured and in Qatar, Šprem played too little, Ivić even less.

Speaking with experienced coaches, like Velimir Petković from Göppingen, the conclusion was that coach needs to provide patience for the team, so that they can be sure of themselves and show what they can actually do.

And of course some of our experienced players are now playing very important rolls. We also have SEHA league that brings quality but we don't have enough training practices some time, and that is something that young team needs. But we are doing well.

ehfCL.com: Coaches do not usually like to name names, but can you tell which players will cope better at this level in the future?

Slavko Goluža: Filip Ivić definitely, right back Luka Stepančić, left back Stipe Mandalinić, left winger Lovro Šprem. Tomorrow there will be someone else I'm sure, there is a lot ahead of them.

ehfCL.com: Berlin was a big opportunity missed. Can you fix things in the return match?

Slavko Goluža: That was our best match this season and a shame we didn't take our chance. We only missed strength in defence against Iker Romero and concentration in shooting opportunities.

I believe that we showed we can, and that we have right to hope. I just want to say that the return match will be much harder than the first match. Berlin was in the FINAL4 last year, and not by chance.

But we will not capitulate. Igropulo and Romero played their best matches of the season and it will be hard to repeat. We missed Lovro Šprem and his aggressiveness in defence. If we repeat our performance from Berlin we have a chance.

ehfCL.com: Are your goals for the season clear?

Slavko Goluža: With everything that we are going through, the Last 16 would be a great prize for this young team. Our actual goals are the Croatian League and cup and the SEHA league Final Four.

ehfCL.com: Is it hard to coach the Croatian National Team and a club?

Slavko Goluža: It is, but I have great assistants. Without them it would perhaps be mission impossible.

ehfCL.com: Who do you see as the favourites for the VELUX EHF Champions League this season?

Slavko Goluža: Despite the loss against Celje, Kiel is very strong. We also have a reinforced Veszprem with Nagy, and Barcelona with Šterbik.

Atletico has problems and it's hard to speak about Montpellier after everything they went through. And of course, someone can always surprise, maybe us if we have a chance. Why not?  I never give up.