When the official confirmation that Macedonia would play in the World Cup in Egypt came during the warm-up before the start of the last training in the gym in Avtokomanda, great relief, great applause and joy in the Macedonian national team followed. In place of the Czech Republic, which canceled the match due to a large number of infected handball players, Macedonia entered as the first reserve.
There was uncertainty for a few days, but now Macedonia will continue its series of appearances at major competitions, the European Championship and the World Cup that began in 2012. In Egypt, he will play in a group with the host and the national teams of Sweden and Chile. The first match is with Sweden. Coach Danilo Brestovac is returning to Egypt, where in 1999 he was one of the players who played in the World Cup for the first time. Now in another role, with a rejuvenated national team, as an outsider and without big plans. He just wants to play.
„I am overjoyed that we will play a great competition. I am satisfied because we have a chance. I don’t think about the group. For this young team, every match should be a new experience for what awaits us. I will say again that I expect something concrete at the European Championship 2022. I hope that we will qualify for the second round of the World Cup here. It is important to play two quality matches with Sweden and Egypt. I think we can do it. To play combatively and with quality and to respond to each of our positions in defense and attack. It is a great joy for me that this team will board the plane. We just have to play, enjoy. It turned out to be a bit unexpected and that is why we should enjoy it, says Danilo Brestovac.
The more unexpected the decision whether to enter the reserve, the more time passed, the more certain it became. The national team was constantly in a meeting, with some handball players who joined later. „We also played two games with Chile, and we won them. We had to play two games with Egypt. We confirmed, but then gave up. During that period, we tried to finish the domestic championship. When Egypt canceled us, we tried to finish the championship, so that Metalurg could play all the matches. I hope that we profited in the best possible way for Macedonian handball „, says Brestovac.
In this team that will go to Egypt, there will be no players who were part of the last qualifications and so far the standard representatives: Manaskov, Ristovski, Georgievski. The rejuvenation process is almost complete.
„In sports, you can’t plan, and it turns out that way. I’m counting on all the handball players. This team should be added to the fresh blood. Manaskov and Georgievski were also on this list. They canceled for their own reasons. They are always available for the national team. Sterbik was also at home, so they invited him to defend the semifinals for Spain. This is a national team and everyone should take the chance. I want to make a base out of that generation from 1996. Let’s supplement it with players from 1998 and 2000. Generationally to go like all national teams. Have a natural flow of new players. We want to have a natural flow. To have the best generations “
Brestovac was at the World Cup in Egypt in 1999. He was also at the 1998 European Championships in Italy, as part of Macedonia’s first national team to play in the European Championships and the World Cup.
„Not only me, but also older players influence younger ones. Usually most players didn’t expect us to leave. We knew it would be difficult to play in the World Cup. But I think that after what happened with that invitation, the administrative determination of who will play was a bit unfair and we deserved to play in this World Cup. I will try as hard as I can to give a chance to young players. What they have here is a sufficient sign that they can and can play the World Cup and the big competition. We play in the host group, so we cross paths with the group where we can also beat Slovenia, Belarus, Russia and Korea. We are outsiders and can that be a relief.
„I do not want to put any pressure on the player, nor to look for a miracle. There will be no pressure from me. I don’t mean it in its entirety. I am interested in each game separately. Now I think of Sweden. and how best to prepare for them. At least I mean the result. I want us to think better in every match and get the most out of every player.
Macedonia play the first match at the World Cup against Sweden on January 14
