The
2004 vice-champion of Europe has had to overcome a period of austerity
in the past years and has missed three of the past five major events
since 2008, the qualification, among other things to the World
Championships in Croatia (’09) and Sweden (’11).
Now, behind
Poland in the qualification, the clearly tapered team has secured its
ticket to Serbia and a measure of validation. Nevertherless, against
opponents such as Iceland and Croatia, they remain the firm outsiders.
After
the team ranked 11th at the EHF EURO 2010 in Austria, and since the
start of the European Championship preparations, Coach Boris Denic has
been at the helm.
In the meantime, old hands from the ‘glory
days’ of EHF EURO 2004 such as Ales Pajovic have stopped playing. Only
playmaker Uros Zorman and goalkeeper Gorazd Skof remain.
Right
wing Dragan Gajic, who currently plays in Montpellier, has become the
new star - at his side - his Montpellier teammate Vid Kavticnik. But it
is not only the right court is strongly occupied, at the centre and on
the left, the Zvizej brothers Miha and Luka as well as Jure Natek, who
is also a top performer, take care of business.