For the first time in the history of the World Championships, 32 national teams will compete, which will be hosted by Cairo, Alexandria and Giza. Yesterday, groups were drawn, where we have the first reactions of the national team selectors.
The Slovenian men’s handball team defeated its opponents in the group stage of the World Cup, which will be held between January 13 and 31 next year in Egypt. In the first part of the competition, they will play in Group X, which also includes Belarus, South Korea and Russia.
– I think we should be satisfied with the draw, which brought us three good national teams. The Russians and Belarusians have a similar game, while South Korea is somewhat different. Maybe we are not the most used to that in Europe. I am looking forward to our performance at the World Cup and I believe that it is the same with the players. We have great chances for the group to pass „, said the selector of Slovenia, Ljubomir Vranješ.
Croatia is placed in Group C, where it is accompanied by Qatar, Japan and Angola. It is immediately clear that Croatia is the absolute favorite of the group, and for complete satisfaction, it is necessary to look at the group with which Croatia intersects, where Denmark is the main favorite, but Argentina, Bahrain and Congo are not too difficult opponents.
– We can’t say we’re dissatisfied with the draw. Next year is very demanding, because as you know, the World Cup is waiting for us, then the Olympic qualifications, and I hope after that, the Olympic Games in Tokyo. It is very important that we all stay healthy in this whole corona situation. We recently beat Qatar in the Croatia Cup in Poreč, Japan is a constantly growing national team, and I, as the coach of Macedonia, played with Angola and I know that I can be uncomfortable. Further, I would not think too much and calculate because every game is a story for itself. We have to be healthy and motivated, then there should be no difficulties, „Lino Cervar pointed out.
The Post-Soviet derby will be very interesting at the 2021 World Cup, and the selections are led by Velimir Petkovic (Russia) and Yuri Shevtsov (Belarus).
Yuri Shevtsov: Russians are more comfortable
– We have a very interesting group. I am not ready to evaluate the Korean national team yet – I last saw it at the last World Cup in Germany. But it is clear that in this group, all opponents have the opportunity not only to advance to the next round, but also to play successfully. I don’t see a clear favorite.
Do you think there is no obvious outsider, as in other groups?
– If you look, they are only in a few groups. Where there are Germans, even two. And certainly the strongest group „B“: Spain, Tunisia, Brazil, Poland.
Did you dream that you would get the Russians from the fourth hat for your opponents.
– The Belarusian team was the first to be pulled out of the second hat. As you can see, with many remaining options, fate sent us to a group that already included the Russian national team. I react in a similar way to all draws. As the draw decided, so we will play. We have a good team and we have the opportunity to compete with everyone in this group. Like the other three rivals. However, teams have different styles. The Russians are closer to us. Slovenians have interesting features. And Koreans will surely be completely different from everyone else. But everyone’s priority is not to be the last. And it is clear that there will be a fierce fight for the points that will be needed in the main round.
Will this composition of the group affect your preparation plans, the choice of sparring partners?
– The hint is clear. After all, we are planning a joint tournament with the Russians in Poland at the end of December. For me, nothing much changes. I do not know how the Russian side will react to the situation. Not so long ago we had a similar situation with the Poles. We planned joint preparations with them. And when we became rivals in the World Cup qualifiers (which were later canceled), our partners abandoned that idea. By the way, I think that it will be more convenient for the Russian national team to prepare for the World Cup than for us and the Slovenes. The Russians have a free January segment before the final tournament. And we and Slovenia will have to play European qualification matches in our groups within these terms, which have been postponed due to the Olympic qualifications. We will meet twice with the Norwegians, the Slovenes – with the Dutch. In other words, Velimir Petković will have more opportunities when planning training and sparring.
You told us about the tournament in Poland and the matches against the Norwegian national team. What else awaits your team before the final tournament in Egypt?
– Qualifying matches for the European Championship in early November. Opponents are Italians and Latvians. Before these matches, we are planning a training camp. We are not thinking about anything else yet. Such is the time that it is impossible to live according to plans. How many have already been abandoned! And this is the situation with all colleagues with whom I communicate … Shevtsov concluded
Velimir Petković. Big map on the wall
Please comment on the composition of the group in which you will play.
– Everyone can be first here, but also fourth!
What are the chances of the Russian national team to qualify from the group?
– It’s hard to say. However, I haven’t done any training yet, I haven’t seen the players live. But, as I said, we will do our best to qualify for the next round.
When do you see him as the main contender for medals at the World Championships?
– National teams of Denmark, Norway, Spain, France, Croatia. Each of these teams can win, the competition is now very big.
What is your opinion on the state of Russian handball after watching the first games of the season?
– In principle, what I have already noticed has been confirmed: every team tries to play modern and fast, and that is good. However, the defense is very poorly organized, this is a big lag behind what we see at the top level in handball. It is noticeable that the teams are trying to stick to the tactical plan, but at some point everything breaks down, they start shooting without preparation, in a hurry. This is a problem of discipline. The ball must be precious. I repeat: it is necessary to achieve the ability of handball players to play both in attack and defense. You can’t specialize in one thing in modern handball. The technical training of the players in Russia is at a good level, they have been taught to handle the ball quite well.
Have you watched the SEHA League semi-finals?
– Yes. At the same time, I was watching my players. I am satisfied with Škurinski. Santalov has not yet returned to form. He needs time to get used to his new teammates and the demands of the coach in Brest. Shishkarev has not returned to Veszprem yet.
Do you have faith that the World Cup will be held in January?
– Now there is a fierce debate about that, because many top clubs do not want to let players there. In this position, for example, Flensburg and Kiel united. But I think it would be more correct for handball to hold a tournament.
How are things with the expanded list of candidates for the Russian national team?
– I will present it on September 15.
You have an apartment in Russia, you have become a full-fledged resident of Moscow. Impressions?
– You know how I spend my time? I hung a large map of Moscow on the wall. And, working three or four hours with videos and papers, I get off the subway and go to see neighborhood after neighborhood of the city. I have more and more impressions every day! Of course they are different. For example, Izmailovo is not as nicely landscaped as Nikolskaya or Gorky Park, but regardless of that, the city is very neat and clean. And the suburbs are very different from the center as in any other metropolis in the world – that’s right. Moscow has a very pleasant urban pulse. Poklonna Gora hit me – everyone should see it! I sailed a steamer along the Moskva River – stunning views. After the last interview, which reached the German press, they called me from Germany and said: You praise Russia too much, it can’t be so good there. Ha, but everyone knows that I am an honest person and I always say what I think and feel, concluded Velimir Petković
