Vardar went down in history as the only club that played all five final tournaments of the Champions League for women's handball since that system was introduced in the 2013/2014 season.
Two much bigger clubs, the giants of European handball - Budućnost and Đer, have the chance to reach the double consecutive runner-up of the Old Continent by the number of participations in the "Laslo Pap Arena" in Budapest.
And while the Hungarian giant is the absolute favorite in the two-match match against Odense, the most trophy-winning Montenegrin club is waiting for hellish and uncertain confrontations with Vipers. In the new collision between Montenegrin and Norwegian handball, which marked the first half of this decade, the "blues" will be put to a great test. The rival is more experienced, is in better shape, has much fewer problems with injuries, but Budućnost is not without a chance either. Especially not tonight from 19:XNUMX p.m. in "Morača", at the same time when Budućnost Volija basketball players play the master of the ABA League semi-finals against Cedevita in Zagreb.
"I would like the audience to feel this moment and support us in the hall, and to be with the basketball players in their thoughts. We felt more and more energy from the stands in the last games, I believe it will be the same now. Our fans know handball very well and recognize when it's right moment to help," pointed out Dragan Adžić.
The trophy coach cannot count on his extended hand on the field, Milena Raičević, but the first goalscorer Đurđina Jauković has recovered from a knee injury.
"The most important thing is that Đina is with us and she is absolutely ready for the match. With great sacrifice and energy, she deserved that the injury was not more serious. Marina Rajčić did the first training on Thursday, Darli Zokebi de Paula has been working since Sunday, Branka Konatar is recovering, so we won't be able to count only on Milena Raičević and Dijana Ujkić," reports the 49-year-old expert.
This season Buducnost played with another representative of Norway, Larvik, but did not impress. In the north of Europe, they lost 23:22, and at home they won 26:25. It was obvious that she underestimated a weaker rival, that cannot happen to her this time.
"There is no doubt that we took Vipers as seriously as possible, whose squad is more complete than Larvik's from his best period - in 2011, 2012 and 2015, when he played in the final with us. He has exceptional width, and compared to last season there are three new backs - Marta Tomac, then Rajstad, who is Norway's greatest potential, the left-handed Vada is also excellent in defense, and the pivot Itereng is new. rival".
The role of favorites is left to the team from Kristiansand, even though it is the first time it is playing in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
"Vipers are the favourites, they have shown that in the previous games. On the other hand, from the start, we had the obligation to recover the players for the European Championship, and this also happened to us after the championship in France. The Norwegians did not have such problems and brought themselves to position to be the favourites. But it is up to us to undo that on the field and confirm that we can play against them, like against Metz, Odense or Rostov in a good part of the match in Morača", Adžić concluded.
Returning to the defense is the most important thing
Vipers' style is recognizable - strong defense and killer counters are a feature of all teams from Norway, Denmark and Sweden. Budućnost and Montenegro achieved the greatest results when they found a solution for that fast game and, by returning to the defense in a timely manner, prevented Larvik, i.e. Norway, from scoring easy goals.
The heirs of the golden generation have not yet reached that level of discipline in the game, which was best seen last season against tonight's rival, when they lost 29:19...
"In these two seasons, the most important segment that they should have realized is the importance of coming back. The 29:19 away defeat against Vipers was a turning point, but there were also games this season where we didn't respect it to the end. The girls' desire and the importance they attach to it are big and I believe that everything will come together now, when it is most important. Against a team that has this width and keeps the pace for 60 minutes, it is crucial for them to be upset and for us to have a chance to win," stressed Adžić.
It is necessary to build up every shot, because the legendary Katrine Lunde will be standing between the posts.
"She is a top goalkeeper, who perseveres and works on herself. Regardless of her age, she does not seem any weaker than in 2012, when she was in the goal of Djerba in our first victory in the Champions League or the Norwegian national team in those two finals. "Razbrane" is shots from nine meters, but we will do everything to prevent that from happening and not to "feed" her teammates with balls for counterattacks. I believe that she will not be dominant in the two matches".
Itana Grbić starts as a winger, but will also help as a guard
In the absence of the injured Milena Raičević, a "competition" was opened for the position of the first center back. Itana Grbić, who is the starting left wing, is also a candidate.
"For our handball, players who can play in multiple positions are very important, because we don't have a large base. In the first match, Itana will be our first option on the left wing, because she has improved a lot since the European Championship and is among the first in that position performance in the Champions League. By the way, both transitionally and positionally, as a full-back, he will be able to help in an attack that is difficult for Vipers to defend, as it was in Brest. It will all depend on the mood of the full-backs, as well as the other left wings. I believe that If Itana can slowly move to the position of middle back, in today's handball he can play it at the top level," Adžić is clear.
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