Slovenian trio joins Celje

One's loss is another one's gain - this is one of the irrefutable laws of life. In this case the unfortunate former is Dinamo Minsk, and the latter is the Slovenian VELUX EHF Champions League contenders Celje Pivovarna Lasko.

After the dismantling of the Minsk outfit Celje were quick to sign three members of the Slovenian national team.

Left back Borut Mackovsek returns to his boyhood club, while right back David Miklavcic and line player Uros Bundalo will don the "Brewers'" jersey for the first time.

Both Mackovsek and Miklavcic have already played a few minutes in the national cup final last Sunday, coming literally off the plane, and added their share to the 17th Slovenian cup victory for Celje.

Bundalo is expected shortly. He prolonged his stay in Minsk in order to take care of his and his Slovenian teammates' belongings.

While the trio cannot compete for Celje in the EHF Champions League this season because they have already played for Dinamo - Celje will encounter SG Flensburg-Handewitt in the Last 16 - they are expected to be an additional boost in the hunt for the domestic championship.

The Slovenian play-off is about to commence on 15 March, with another member of the EHF Champions League Last 16, Gorenje Velenje, leading by five points ahead of Celje.

"I must commend our club's executives for the swift action in bringing these great players into the team," said coach Branko Tamse. 

"Borut is returning home, so he is familiar with the system. I've worked with David before, and I'm sure Uros will fit in nicely. They are all members of the national team and their quality is indisputable.

"We have to assimilate them in the squad quickly. I expect that we will kick our game up a notch and further minimise fluctuations in our performance."

All three will stay in Celje until the end of this season, with the option to extend their contract.