HC Vardar 1961: Ristovski, Cantegrel – Walczak 4, Jagurinovski 1, Dimitrioski 1, Gerorgievski 2, Dissinger 2, Jotic 4, Kalarash 6, Gadza, Cupic 3 (1), Taleski, Dibirov 1, Vujin 3, Vekic, Mishevski

 

Telekom Veszprém: Corrales – Manaskov 4, Yahia 3, Moraes 4, Nilsson 4, Marguc 1, Strlek 3 (1), Blagotinsek, Shishkarev 1, Nenadic 5, Maqueda 3, Lékai 4, Borozan 3

 

Penalties: 1/1 and 2/1

Suspensions: 10 min. and 4 min.

 

Máté Lékai’s goal kicked off the final of the SEHA – Gazprom League against Vardar. Corrales carried on from where he left off on Friday against Brest, as he stopped Kalarash twice. The first goal of Vardar was scored in the 6th minute, 1:4. The head coach of Vardar had to call a time out two minutes later. Although Vardar got more precise in attack by the half of the first period, they even came back to a two-goals difference, their 7 against 6 plays were a bit weak and Veszprém could score empty net goals, so instead of Vardar coming up, the “Építők” took a four goals lead, 6:10. Veszprém lead great offense, so Stevche Alushovski had to call the second time out soon, when Veszprém was leading 7:13 in the 20th minute. Our defense was good, and so as Corrales behind it. The first half brought Telekom dominance and a 12:15 advantage.
 
In the beginning of the second half, Nilsson and Manaskov took lead in the team. Nilsson received a lot of balls, and scored a goal from his chances. Vardar had to use their last time out, when Veszprém scored consecutive goals and reached a difference of seven goals, 18:25. Meanwhile, Lékai scored his 600th goal for Veszprém, and we could lead fastbreaks from the saves of Corrales. We had a six goals lead in the 50th minute, 22:28. From the 55th minute, the defense went softer in mind of a dominating lead, but our victory was never in jeopardy. We won the SEHA – Gazprom League for the third time in our history, with a final result of 27:35. The MVP of the tournament was voted to be Rodrigo Corrales, who also became the best goalkeeper, while Gasper Marguc was the best right wing, Jorge Maqueda was best right back, the best line player was Andreas Nilsson and the best defender was Blaz Blagotinsek!

 

 

 
Gasper Marguc: It feels good to open the season with a title, especially after the tough preparation period we went through. We displayed the right level of performance when it was needed the most opening the match in the right way which helped us take control of it early on. I believe we have a great team and that a good season is ahead of us.

 

 
Stevche Alushovski: We tried with 7 versus 6 actions in order to hopefully surprise them. We were aware of how deadly their transition is and how quick they are when they manage to defend successfully. Well-deserved win for them in the end, they obviously have a better team, bigger roster and more quality individuals at the moment.
 
Borko Ristovski: Well-deserved win for them in the end. We have a lot of new players and we’ll obviously need some time to get things going in the right direction. This tournament helped us realize there are a lot of things we still have to work on and I believe that in case we manage to improve in those aspects of the game we’ll have a good season. That’s what matters the most for us at the moment. Today we’ve proved we didn’t come here with a ‘white flag’. In sports you have to fight all the time and until the final whistle no matter who is standing on the opposite side of the court. I feel like we could’ve delivered a better performance here today but in the end we have what we have. I repeat, well-deserved win for them in the end.
 

 

Photo: Uros Hocevar, Anze Malovrh