If Zikica Milosavljevic had been in the role of a journalist at the matches recently played by the Serbian handball team, the title of one of his reports would have been „The Return of Serbian Handball“. The victory and the draw against France, then the convincing triumph over the selection of Greece, made the nation happy, while the media praised the „eagles“. Assistant coach of Tony Gerona is proud of the team’s excellent results and believes that handball will once again be a popular sport in our country, as it once was.
„I got back the feeling I had as a player, when handball was a super popular sport. When I say that, I mean the interest of the public and the players and we are called to give statements every day. That feeling of popularity itself is very interesting and very beautiful. We are happy that handball is being talked about again, especially when beautiful things are happening. As much as this sport is on the margins, players appear, and our task is to direct them on the right path, so that their quality emerges. It seems that we have succeeded this time and I hope that it will be the same in the future as well, „Milosavljevic said at the beginning of our conversation.
As a member of the „eagles'“ professional staff points out, there are „evil tongues“ that are trying to diminish Serbia’s victory and excellent game in the duel with France. „Some will say that France did not play in the strongest team because they missed Nikola Karabatic, but Nikola Karabatic is not the entire French team. They were part of the team in which they now play the World Cup in Egypt. We played those games great, at a high level, with very few technical errors, and we had an excellent defense and realization of the attack.
„Some of our calculations at the beginning were to qualify for the European Championship as the second-placed team, but now after these games the reality is that we can be first in the group and achieve a good draw at the European Championships in Hungary and Slovakia,“ said assistant Tony Gerona.
Milosavljevic did not hide his enthusiasm for the entire team and the approach that the players had during the preparations, but also the matches themselves.
„I was really completely delighted by everyone, I can’t single anyone out individually. They delighted me with their approach and attitude, but I think that is the merit of the professional staff as well. We somehow put that approach on the table, and the guys accepted it, to the mutual satisfaction. We absolutely emphasize that this is a team and that each individual must provide a minimum of the tasks given to him. If someone played for only 30 seconds, be sure that he gave his maximum during that time. Tomorrow it will be five, seven, ten minutes … There is no difference between the one who plays 30 seconds and the one who spends 50 minutes on the field. If I have to name someone by name, then let it be the younger guys, who have been invited to the national team less times. These are Dodić, Nikolić, Orbović, Šotić and Srdanović. They did their job in absolutely the right way. “
When it comes to club obligations, Zikica Milosavljevic still faces great challenges. His Red Star is in fifth place in the table of Group B of the ARKUS League with 11 points. Three rounds until the end of the regular part of the competition, absolutely every epilogue between the six leading teams is possible, considering that the table looks like this: Metaloplastika 15, Zeleznicar 15, Rudar 14, Novi Pazar 12, Crvena zvezda 11, Radnicki 10, Obilic 6, Chamot 5. After the break, the Belgrade Red and Whites will be in the role of hosts twice in a row – against Obilić and Radnički, while Metaloplastica will be guests in the last round. „The situation is very interesting, and I am especially happy that the Red Star has things in their hands, everything depends exclusively on us. Victory against Obilic is imperative for several reasons. Not only would that increase our chances of entering the playoffs, but winning two points, in case we still find ourselves in the playoffs, would be vital for survival in the league. According to the data I have, Zvezda has not beaten Obilić in the last six games, so that is our homework. We defeated Radnički in Kragujevac, but the match in Belgrade will certainly be different and super difficult, especially if they beat Novi Pazar beforehand. Only when we complete these two steps will we count on the next one. My professional team and I are going to win against Metaloplastika in the last round, and we will see what will happen „, Milosavljević emphasized at the end.
