When, in the 9th minute of the match with Iceland, Dragan Adžić pulled the first player from the bench, many were amazed and asked: Who is this girl?
Andrea Klikovac entered the field, announced by the selector as one of the handball players who could take advantage of her chance. No one, not even she herself, probably expected that she would play such an important role at the European Championship in Serbia. The right back of Vardar was one of the key screws in the phenomenal defense of the "reds", which eventually paved the way to the big title.
"Honestly, I didn't expect this much playing time. I knew that the national team needed a solid, strong defense, that it needed someone who would help in the middle. I'm glad that it was me," says the 21-year-old Podgorica woman, who plays in Skopje's Vardar plays both attack and defense.
Even more than the phenomenal game in defense, the fact that Andrea played the entire championship with an injury, because part of the meniscus was "walking" on her knee, is impressive.
"It's a little better now, but it still hurts. I'll probably have to have an operation. I'm going back to Skopje tonight, I'll see with the people from Vardar what they think about it. The injury started causing me a lot of problems, after the games I couldn't even I'm walking.
Was it difficult for you to fit into the national team?
"Somehow, I'm already used to that work and discipline. Even before I joined the senior national team, I knew what was waiting for me, I quickly adapted to all that regime. I played in a similar system in the junior national team, with which I won bronze in South Korea. That was the beginning of my successes, that medal meant a lot to me".
Which game was the most difficult for you in Serbia?
"Everyone carried their weight, but the final with Hungary stands out. Against the Hungarians, it was very difficult for me those last 15 minutes, which I had to watch from the stands. It's a bad feeling when you watch and you can't help. That made me extra nervous and created pressure."
Honestly, did you believe you could strike gold?
"We hoped for everything to a certain extent. We supported each other as much as possible, we believed in each other. You could see that, that was what decided the final. Our power was especially noticeable in the 20 minutes of extra time, when it was clear that the Norwegian women had no chance to beat us. ".
Were you worried when the Norwegian women twice reached minus three in extra time?
"I didn't. It only gave me more strength to "step on" them even more and beat them".
You are in Vardar from this season. How satisfied are you and will you stay?
"Vardar has great ambitions, as evidenced by the fact that the captain of Spain, Begonja Fernandes, arrived a few days ago. Reinforcements are yet to arrive, and we should play the Champions League qualifiers. I have a contract, I believe I will stay, and I hope that I too will soon play in the Champions League".
In the jersey of Vardar or Buducnost?
"I really don't know about the future. Whatever happens, happens. Everyone, of course, loves their club and the place they started from, but I'm happy in Skopje as well."
What is the collaboration with the legendary Indira Kastratović like?
"Outstanding. We are training great, I hope the results will come. Indira is an excellent coach, she helped me mature as a player, and I still have a lot to learn from her. Both she and the people from the administration were in Vršac and Novi Sad , they came to support me and to show me that they are with me," concluded Klikovac.
Bonus video:
