Ivan Čupić: No one has it easy in a full Jane Sandanski Arena

Vardar prepare to meet Wisla Płock in the next round of the EHF Champions League, with coach Ivan Čupić warning that a packed Jane Sandanski Arena will make the match difficult for any visitor.

Čupić sets the tone ahead of clash with Polish side

At the club’s pre-match press conference in Skopje, Čupić — joined by captain Vasil Gogov — outlined his assessment of Wisla Płock and Vardar’s own situation after two opening defeats in the competition.

“The group is what it is, that's clear. Wisla is a top club among the ten best in Europe. They have had the same coach for many years. They are consistent in results over recent years. I know well the former dominance of Kielce in Poland, and now Wisla has taken that primacy there. That is only proof of their level. We prepare as always, with good energy, analysis and training. We believe that in a full 'Jane Sandanski' no one will have it easy. After two matches without points in which we played well, we want to reach the first win. Surely we missed a goal or two in the previous games. I don't want to talk about pressure; for me it's a privilege. This is our path that will last at least until the end of the season. There is no success without defeats, it doesn't come quickly or overnight. I think after the first two Champions League matches we played really well, we played like men, but obviously what we are presenting at this moment was not enough for this level. If it had been enough we would have had points on the account. I don't want to look for an alibi, although we played well with Melsungen, and then slightly better against Nantes. Now I believe we will raise the level, especially since Pedro has returned and adds an extra note. When we analyzed Wisla, a team which in my view plays the best defense in the Champions League. That will be a big challenge for our attack, we must be better than in the games with Ohrid, Nantes and Melsungen. For this Wisla defense that pays 3-4 players only for defense, our attack must be like never this season if we want to win points. Still, without good defense we would be useless even with good offense. All segments must be at the level, but if I have to choose one that can decide it will be our attack. Wisla plays truly top defense, they are tactically disciplined and for me it is a really big challenge,” Čupić said, then added.

“Unfortunately Bomashter is still injured, we must be patient because he has a troublesome back injury. I hope that with new therapies we will see him after the international break. He is in a process of rehabilitation and we must not rush. As for the other players, Lazarevski, Pedro and Stojanovski have returned to us. That is a big plus for me and for the team. Pedro gives us many options and in my view is the most sportingly intelligent player in this squad. Maybe that was what we lacked in the previous two matches, we will see how we will look against Wisla,” Čupić said.

Vardar enter the home fixture aiming for their first points of the Champions League season; the coach emphasised both the defensive strength of the Polish visitors and the need for Vardar’s attack to lift its level if the club is to collect points in Skopje.

Photo: RK Vardar