The team with one of the most difficult tasks, as it strives to make its way to the Main Round of EHF EURO 2010, is Serbia, as it is generally regarded as the poor relation of tough Group A. The key player of this team is the star of Slovenia’s Krim Ljubljana, the playmaker, Andrea Lekić.
ehf-euro.com: At the last two editions of the EHF EURO, Serbia lost all six matches. How you deal with that when you have such a winning mentality?
Andrea Lekić: Playing for the national team has a special meaning for me.
This means that defeats hurt much harder. Because of that mentality, I force myself to go forward, to try to change that negative result.
The most beautiful thing is to share success with your nation, and I wish that from this event.
We are two years older now, and we’ve played more matches together and have more experience. We mustn’t allow fluctuations in our match form, and we especially mustn’t give other teams too much respect.
ehf-euro.com: Can you describe the national team of Serbia in a few sentences? Which are the best sides of your squad, what are your weaknesses?
Andrea Lekić: We are a fast team. Serbia play good defence and counterattack.
Our advantage over opponents is that almost all of the squad plays together at Zaječar with coach Duško Milić.
We’ve known each other for many years, so we won’t need a lot of time to refresh all of our principles of the game.
ehf-euro.com: How did you react, when you saw the names of your rivals in Aalborg? What is your primary goal in the competition with Spain, Romania and the host nation, Denmark?
Andrea Lekić: My only wish is to be healthy.
Unfortunately, one of our key players, Dragana Cvijić is injured and we must change our previous concept and try to make up for the handicap with maximal involvement.
Our group is the hardest one, but at this big tournament, there are no easy matches or weak teams.
Maybe it could be easier, but we have no say in the matter. I’m sure that Serbian girls will find happiness in Denmark and Norway.
The first goal is to qualify for the Main Round, as this means easier opponents in qualifying for the World Championship in Brazil.
ehf-euro.com: You´ll open the competition against Denmark… Do you see that as an advantage or disadvantage?
Andrea Lekić: Denmark is a very good team, with fast and dynamic play. They are hoping for a big result at home, which brings them extra pressure.
Personally, I like these kind of matches – that’s why I play handball. Nothing is more beautiful than a surprise at the start of the tournament.
ehf-euro.com: How about Spain and Romania?
Andrea Lekić: We know Spain very well from our last qualification, although neither team had their complete squad, so this match will be something new.
Their team leader is Marta Mangué and she makes most of the things happen for Spain.
As with Serbia, Romania draw most their players from the same team. They have good teamwork and every year they find a place in the highest ranks of the European and World handball. Cristina Neagu is a world-class player.
ehf-euro.com: Do you think that the high quality rivals in your group will underestimate Serbia?
Andrea Lekić: All of the handball people know that we are not in the group of teams with the most quality, and maybe that will be our biggest chance.
The other teams will play against us with a little dose of underestimation. I would like that!
It’s very difficult to maintain the rhythm of the game, if you don’t take all games 100% seriously from the beginning.
ehf-euro.com: At the last two editions of the EHF EURO, Serbia lost all six matches. How you deal with that when you have such a winning mentality?
Andrea Lekić: Playing for the national team has a special meaning for me.
This means that defeats hurt much harder. Because of that mentality, I force myself to go forward, to try to change that negative result.
The most beautiful thing is to share success with your nation, and I wish that from this event.
We are two years older now, and we’ve played more matches together and have more experience. We mustn’t allow fluctuations in our match form, and we especially mustn’t give other teams too much respect.
ehf-euro.com: Can you describe the national team of Serbia in a few sentences? Which are the best sides of your squad, what are your weaknesses?
Andrea Lekić: We are a fast team. Serbia play good defence and counterattack.
Our advantage over opponents is that almost all of the squad plays together at Zaječar with coach Duško Milić.
We’ve known each other for many years, so we won’t need a lot of time to refresh all of our principles of the game.
ehf-euro.com: How did you react, when you saw the names of your rivals in Aalborg? What is your primary goal in the competition with Spain, Romania and the host nation, Denmark?
Andrea Lekić: My only wish is to be healthy.
Unfortunately, one of our key players, Dragana Cvijić is injured and we must change our previous concept and try to make up for the handicap with maximal involvement.
Our group is the hardest one, but at this big tournament, there are no easy matches or weak teams.
Maybe it could be easier, but we have no say in the matter. I’m sure that Serbian girls will find happiness in Denmark and Norway.
The first goal is to qualify for the Main Round, as this means easier opponents in qualifying for the World Championship in Brazil.
ehf-euro.com: You´ll open the competition against Denmark… Do you see that as an advantage or disadvantage?
Andrea Lekić: Denmark is a very good team, with fast and dynamic play. They are hoping for a big result at home, which brings them extra pressure.
Personally, I like these kind of matches – that’s why I play handball. Nothing is more beautiful than a surprise at the start of the tournament.
ehf-euro.com: How about Spain and Romania?
Andrea Lekić: We know Spain very well from our last qualification, although neither team had their complete squad, so this match will be something new.
Their team leader is Marta Mangué and she makes most of the things happen for Spain.
As with Serbia, Romania draw most their players from the same team. They have good teamwork and every year they find a place in the highest ranks of the European and World handball. Cristina Neagu is a world-class player.
ehf-euro.com: Do you think that the high quality rivals in your group will underestimate Serbia?
Andrea Lekić: All of the handball people know that we are not in the group of teams with the most quality, and maybe that will be our biggest chance.
The other teams will play against us with a little dose of underestimation. I would like that!
It’s very difficult to maintain the rhythm of the game, if you don’t take all games 100% seriously from the beginning.
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