Saric inspires the next generation of goalkeepers

VELUX EHF Champions League winner Danijel Saric was the star attraction at the fifth International Goalkeeper’s Camp in June at two Croatian summer resorts, Makarska and Tucepi.

A number of goalkeepers with experience in Europe’s elite club competition and coaches worked with the rising stars from 23 countries during the six-day camp. Alongside active players such as Marin Šego (Vive Tauron Kielce) and Mirko Alilović (MKB MVM Veszprem) were the likes of legendary Olympic champion Mirko Basic and successful goalkeeper’s coaches from ŽRK Budućnost, Vlatko Djonović, and MKB MVM Veszprem, Haris Porobić, all of whom gave a special dimension to the project.

Fresh from a stellar performance that the VELUX EHF FINAL4 and collecting seven trophies this season with FC Barcelona Lassa, the young goalies wanted to hear everything Danijel Saric had to say.

“It is great to be here. It is a place for all goalkeepers. The kids are great and project growing year by year. Of course, they want to hear how we managed to win seven titles last season.

“We are the first section in Barca’s family who did it, but this group of players deserved that. We were capable of it the season before, but it didn’t work out. However, that kind of experience was also very important in making the new history of the club and handball,” said Šarić, who shared his thoughts of that “golden weekend” at LANXESS arena.

“I had a clear vision that goalkeepers are very important in such events. I managed to find the right form at the perfect moment, as I did in 2011.

“In the end, seasons without trophies have no value for Barca and I can speak now about the huge pressure which we had to win the trophy. That’s why all the titles have their own histories. I only believe that more will come under coach Xavi Pascual, who is the best in the world,” concluded Saric.

Kretzchmar, Cavar and Dzomba line out for charity

The highlight of camp was a charity match among former and current Croatian and Bosnian handball stars reinforced by former German international Stefan Kretzschmar. The legendary left wing accepted the call of the organisers to play in the match from which all profits went to two charities in Makarska and Tucepi.

About 1,000 fans supported the noble idea, which gave them a chance to see some of the Croatian and world handball’s biggest names and the privilege to see the likes of Patrik Cavar and Mirza Dzomba at the handball court again.

“I have to be honest. I hate these guys. They cost me two gold medals from the World Championship and the Olympic Games,” joked Stefan Kretzschmar, evoking memories of losing finals at Portugal 2003 and Athens 2004 against his “biggest enemies”.

However, the match between the “Friends of Camp” (Mirko Alilovic, Danijel Saric, Zlatko Horvat, Manuel Strlek, Jakov Gojun, Mirza Dzomba, Patrik Cavar, Stefan Kretzschmar, Ivan and Igor Karacic, Nebojsa Grahovac, Nikola Blazicko, Dragan Jerkovic – coach Slavko Goluza) and the “Golden years” team from Metkovic ended with a friendly 23:23 draw.