Serafimov: Pelister was always a wish, Lino is a handball god

Bitola — E. Pelister's handball squad is deep into preseason work ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, and one of the club's new signings, Martin Serafimov, spoke openly about joining the Pelister project and adapting to coach Lino Cervar's methods.

Serafimov said he had long wanted to play in Bitola and relished the club's atmosphere. He stressed his commitment to give everything on the court and underlined that familiar faces from the national team and several foreign additions are helping the transition.

New arrival with high expectations

On the coach, Serafimov was effusive: "I won't lie, Pelister and Bitola were one of my wishes. I wanted to play here sometime in my career. Up to now I have come to Bitola as an opponent and everything was against me, which is understandable, but that's also very interesting because there is a very good atmosphere. Now I can hardly wait to get on the court, to play with them together and to give everything of myself. That is something I can guarantee, that I will leave my heart on the floor. There are also my national team colleagues here who I know well, and there are new reinforcements from abroad. So far everything is good, we are getting to know each other slowly both in character and in handball, and Lino, I have known him since I was a child, since my beginnings at Metalurg. I have watched him as a God, as the father of handball, and I think I can learn a lot from him and contribute to the team," the new signing told the Bitola club's press.

Serafimov, who arrives to strengthen the squad under Cervar, emphasised that the work in training is focused and that the group is slowly finding its on-court identity. The club's preparations are aimed at building chemistry ahead of competitive fixtures.

Fans in Bitola are expecting the season to be competitive and Serafimov's arrival — together with other additions — is intended to raise Pelister's ambitions. The player himself says he is ready to play and fight for results as soon as the league resumes.

Photo: press material from the event