Veszprem victory in Zagreb a sign of changing times

Zagreb has on Sunday in front of great crowd in Arena Zagreb hosted Hungarian champions, HC MKB Veszprem and in the end lost 22:33 (8:15).

Although matches such as PSG vs Barcelona and Kielce vs Kiel seem to attract more people and interest these days, the past that Zagreb and Veszprem share together is definitely not something to ignore.

The great story about the rivalry these two teams have has started long ago, back in 1992. Zagreb won the Champions Cup against TEKA Santander and Vesprem won the Cup winners Cup against German side Milbertshofen.

To decide who the best in Europe was, these two teams have agreed to play two matches (in Veszprem and in Zagreb).

After the loss to Veszprem in Hungary (23:20), Zagreb won the match at home, dominating 30:20 and became the unofficial European Supercup winners.

Shared past

From that moment on there were six official matches between them in the EHF Champions League. Zagreb have three wins, Vesprem two, with one tie. Croatia and Zagreb have also given Veszprem many big players: Zlatko Saračević, Božidar Jović, Mirza Džomba, Vlado Šola, Slavko Goluža and currently Mirko Alilović and Renato Sulić.

On the other hand Zdravko Zovko has coached both of these teams, playing two semi-finals and one final with Veszprem and was a two-time champion with Zagreb.

The match on Sunday was one more in a big collection of great matches these clubs share, but times have changed.

The changes were never clearer than in Sunday’s encounter. After racing into a 15:8 half-time lead, the Hungarians never looked back and took a 33:22 win. Their star studded team have their sights set on the VELUX EHF FINAL4, while Zagreb’s young guns will be scrapping for a Last 16 spot.

After the match, Veszprem coach Ortega was very satisfied with his team performance.

“We have really played a great match, especially in defence with the outstanding Alilović today. It has of course given us the opportunity to play fast and nice and score easy goals.

“I believe this Zagreb's team has great potential to become one of the best in the near future, but they need to practice much,” said Ortega.

"I hope we can go all the way"

Coach Dvorsek was not so delighted on the other side but aware how strong team Veszprem currently is.

''They have played great in attack as well as in defence and on top of all that they had Alilović on top form in goal. When they're playing at such a high level there are not many teams that can compete with them.

“Thing that decided the match was our weak defence and unimaginative attack. We have to learn from strong matches like this, practice and wait for our moment to shine. We're taking it match by match and our goal stays the same - a place in the Last 16,” said Dvorsek.

“It was really great to play in Arena Zagreb in front of such a great crowd. Players are always highly motivated in these situations and do their best.

“Veszprem is investing much in handball and our goal is to reach the FINAL4. There are no weak teams in the Champions League and if you don't prepare well, anything is possible. I believe in this team and I hope that this season we can go all the way,” said man of the match Mirko Alilovic.

In the next round, after a four-week break, Zagreb will try to surprise Rhein Neckar Löwen in Germany and Veszprem also travel away, to Celje in Slovenia.