Ilic: "I have already won my biggest trophy, it’s in my arms"

It is nothing new to hear that Momir Ilic is enjoying life at Veszprém. The Hungarian side granted him all the freedom to enjoy life and play his best handball and the Serbian star is repaying the faith in the best possible way - with exhilarating performances throughout the three seasons in the city near lake Balaton.

Only the clock ticking down to the season finale in Cologne will tell whether the time has come for Veszprém to finally lift the elusive trophy, or whether the Hungarian powerhouse will have to wait for yet another year to fulfil their longing desire.

However, as many times stated "anything is possible at the FINAL4" and each season, each match, each time-out brings a different set of circumstances to affect the final outcome. The champion’s road is tough as much as it is long, but on their third VELUX EHF FINAL4, Veszprém will not hurry the journey at all.

ehfCL.com: The entire VELUX EHF Champions League season is slowly boiling down to just two games over two days in Cologne. You are among the most experienced, playing your sixth VELUX EHF FINAL4 – so, are the feelings any different to any of the previous seasons?

Momir Ilic: I feel positively nervous. But it’s the kind of feeling you have to experience ahead of these events. You practically have your entire season coming down to just 10 days and three trophies to play for.

It gets in a very high pace as the season’s end approaches. We have the Hungarian title decider against Szeged that awaits us, as well as the FINAL4 to follow. But it’s always a great thing when you have to stand up to the challenge and fight.

When I look back at our season, it was not going as smoothly, but our quality saw us through, and we’re at the FINAL4 again. At times, we didn’t play well as a team, but we can be satisfied to be able to fight for the titles.

ehfCL.com: It took a great deal of effort and determination from Veszprém to get here after a turbulent season. However, after re-establishing yourselves as worthy contenders, there is still that final step left for you to take. Are you up for the challenge?

Momir Ilic: I also have a feeling we were going step by step. First, we made it to Cologne, then we had to prove to everyone we can fight for the title in the final, and when it’s our time, I know we will come out strong and win it.

It’s my sixth FINAL4, and it is my yearning to win the title with Veszprém. I want it not only for myself, but for these guys I play with and everyone associated with the club. The fans have wanted the title even longer than I did, and I want to try make it happen for them.

I have learnt by now there are no favourites at the FINAL4. Only the smallest of details decides, and we have seen it so many times. Remember when Flensburg won? Nobody gave them a chance, and they had less pressure and were fresher than the other teams, which was decisive in the end. The only truth is out there, in those 60 minutes at LANXESS arena.

ehfCL.com: If you look back at the current season, in contrast to the previous seasons with Veszprém in VELUX EHF Champions League, which conclusions can you draw?

Momir Ilic: We haven’t played like the real contenders. If you compare this one to the last season, there were maybe three or four games we’ve performed well. In contrast, last season was excellent in so many ways. Our game was nearly perfect, and we’ve had impressive performances. Everything was in place, but we lost it all in the end, in just one match.

I think we’re very similar to CSKA Moscow in basketball. They have waited and waited and finally it happened for them (the Euroleague title). I only hope we won’t have to wait for so long (eight years).

The people of Hungary deserve this trophy. You can see it on their faces, they give so much energy and hope into it. If we can become the champions, it will be one of the biggest Hungarian sporting successes to date.

ehfCL.com: Yet again, you are sided with your former club THW Kiel in the semi-final. Meeting the club you have spent six successful years at for the third time in Cologne, how different are the circumstances now?

Momir Ilic: It gets kind of boring, honestly. We meet for the third time in the semi-final, and I’m sure people want to see other teams battling it out than good old Veszprém and Kiel. I am joking a bit, of course. There are always great expectations when Veszprém is sided against Kiel, but whoever is more successful in getting all of the small details right will win.

Also, it’s no secret that we’ve got nothing to hide. There are no surprises, just two teams and 60 minutes, I hope. The circumstances regarding both teams are pretty much the same. Kiel are always expected to win trophies and Veszprém are too. The pressure mounts at the beginning of the season, and only gets bigger as we reach the end.

This season, we have seen a very rare turn of developments and Kiel can finish with no trophies at all. They have already missed out on the cup and their hope for the Bundesliga title is pretty much lost. However, I don’t buy their recent understatements. Knowing Alfred and the guys over there, they always want to win everything. I also know the way they time their form, and I can already tell they have put all cards on the FINAL4. It is wrong not to consider them favourites.

ehfCL.com: Despite being a turbulent one, this season has brought great joy to you on a personal level. How much has becoming a father changed your perspective on life, sport and challenges ahead?

Momir Ilic: I am still looking for the right words to describe this incredible feeling. It feels like a transfiguration for me. I feel such bliss. It is almost unreal, when you want something so much and for so long, and it is finally there. I have to admit, I have never felt so fulfilled on a personal level.

My life has changed, and I relish the kind of change becoming a father has brought me. However, I am hopeful that after Cologne we will have yet another reason to celebrate this year. My ambitions are the same, I want to go to the FINAL4 and win it, but I have already won my biggest trophy - it is in my arms.