Iváncsik having a blast in Baia Mare

The younger of the Iváncsik brothers, Tamás is back in Europe’s premier handball competition but the former Veszprém right wing is fighting for different goals at Baia Mare.

The pacey winger had spent seven years with the reigning Hungarian champion, but joined the ambitious Romanian project in the summer of 2015.

"We are writing history in Baia Mare by making it to the VELUX EHF Champions League. The icing on the cake is that we are having a great season so far, two rounds from the end of the Group Phase we still have a chance to catch a play-off berth,” Iváncsik told ehfCL.com.

Second spot in Group D is only two points away from the Romanian champions. Baia Mare play host to already relegated Elverum in the next round before they face Kadetten Schaffhausen in Switzerland. "Exceeding expectations is our thing here,” smiled Iváncsik.

Ringleader in the locker room

At 32 Iváncsik is the most accomplished player in Baia Mare’s squad and having played in one of the best teams in the VELUX EHF Champions League he has respect in the locker room.

"That wouldn’t mean a thing if I played badly and missed my chances. Luckily I am in good shape and score a lot of goals but that would not be the case without my teammates’ efforts,” said Iváncsik, who is regularly the top scorer of Baia Mare.

"Some people questioned my decision to play in Romania because of the tense relationship of the two nations but I can say it is not an issue here. Long-time friend and teammate Péter Tatai and I are absolutely OK in Baia Mare.”

Having a blast

Baia Mare and Skopje are the two cities in Europe that have teams in both men’s and women’s Champions League so it is easy to assume that the Romanian town is handball crazy.

"Yes, they love the game here. Our arena is usually sold out at Champions League games and our fans give us great support by providing excellent atmosphere for the matches. No wonder we have not lost a game at home so far."

"I am really having a great time here. I love the city, we have a great team and we are fighting to reach the play-off which nobody thought we could be capable of. My only woe is that I was left out of the Hungarian national team squad but I will keep working to regain my place there,” concluded Ivancsik, whose older brother Gergö still plays for MVM Veszprem in Group A.