The only Serbian representative in the European men’s competition will be Zeleznicar from Nis, who will play against the Turkish team Spor Toto at the start of the competition in the EHF European Cup in the 2020/21 season, it was decided by drawing lots in Vienna.
This is the team with the greatest tradition of participating in Eurocups from all potential rivals of Nis in the draw, and there were six of them. The team from Ankara is much better known as Mili Pjango, under which it regularly competed on the international scene for a while, and exactly 15 years ago it met with Nishli in this same competition, which until a few months ago was called the Challenge Cup.
Zeleznicar was more successful by one goal in two games, they celebrated at home with 39:33, lost in the return match with 27:22, and it is interesting that in that season, the then Mili Pjango reached the only national champion title in its history. The only member of that team who is still active in Zeleznicar is the goalkeeper and captain Miroslav Kocic, while the current first assistant coach of George Teodorovic, Nebojsa Bokic, was then the head of the professional staff.
Coach Djordje Teodorovic will leave a detailed introduction to the rival for the next period:
- Turkish handball was in great expansion for a while, many foreign players played there, including from Serbia. Besiktas was an almost regular participant in the Champions League, which has long been unattainable for Serbian clubs. Nevertheless, Metaloplastika knocked out the same Besiktas last season, after two draws away, so it is certainly possible to beat them. We will also see what the financial side of a possible duel in Turkey or Nis will be, which is not negligible at all. In any case, we will meet the opponent in time.
The matches of this round of the EHF European Cup are planned for 14/15. and 21/22. November.
