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Kiro: We have to get them down to 22-24 goals

They scored 33-34 against everyone in the group, we have to get them down, play like Metalurg do - Naumče Mojsovski is thinking

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Even though Gajić claims it was three summers ago, and a lot has happened since, we doubt the Slovenians forgot who took their chance to play the London Olympics. Macedonia defeated Slovenia 28-27 at the EC in Serbia, a key match for the qualifications. 

Now, this match is basically for the qualifications again because you have to get at least to the quarterfinals (7th place) to stay in for Rio next year.

It's hard to say who's the favorite. Macedonia definitely left a better impression in the first five matches. The Slovenians kept talking that they can face anybody if they play well, and after the matches, they kept saying they didn't play well.

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- Before analyzing the Macedonians, we have to ask ourselves, what expectations do we have, what do we have to do to play as good as we want to. Everyone knows themselves best, and how to get that "click" we're all waiting for. When everyone knows that, we can easily talk about what to do as a team - Gajić said.

- This match will definitely be difficult, both mentally and physically. The ones with more passion and desire will win.

They got to the round of 16 by defeating Belarus and Brazil, even though their defense didn't really exist. There was a lot of running that didn't make head nor tail in those matches. The matches against Qatar and Spain weren't much better, either. 

Coach Denič's announcements before facing the Macedonians could be described as self-confident or arrogant, you be the judge:

- It sounds like a cliche, but nothing will depend on them in this match, only on us. The game will develop as we set it. If we set it right like we know, we'll defeat Macedonia. 

Unfortunately, neither Denič nor Gajić explained what that level they keep talking about is, and how much do they think they're worth. They came here after being crushed in Denmark, and din't play a decent match here at all.

Denič also added:

-  I don't care who we face. It's a game we simply have to win. If we've got what it takes, we'll win.

Denič was praising the Slovenian defense, and blamed the offense for those matches where they conceded over 30. 

The Slovenian press are focused on the fight with Renato Vugrinc, but also on the fact that Chambery picked Ivica Obrvan to be their coach over Denič. Denič, however, wasn't phased by that, at least on the surface.

He used the pivot Bundalo instead Blagotinšek against Spain, and everyone expects to see Cehte today because they definitely need a back shot for the Macedonian 6-0 defense. Zorman's performance was questionable, too after he fought with Bombač in the second part. Zorman didn't want to comment on the mood in the locker room, and said mysteriously:

- We'll deal with it among ourselves. For the public, everything's fine.

The biggest thing that the Slovenians can worry about is the fact that they regularly had problems against the 6-0 defense in the last month, meaning the preparations and the WC matches. They never scored over 30. And that's exactly what they'll face today, a 6-0 defense.

Unlike the Slovenians, the Macedonians are feeling great. The atmosphere in their team is great, they survived an evened out group with a few impressive performances, especially against Tunisia and Austria where they scored 33 and 36 respectively. It wasn't bad against Croatia, either, and they defeated Bosnia and Iran with their experience, despite playing badly. And that's what makes a team great, really. Ivica Obrvan had seven players who scored three or more goals against Austria, Kiro had 9/14 (4/4), and Mirkulovski 6/7. The goalies were bad, but the offense won the game. The Macedonians are much better offensively since Obrvan leads them.

- They play fast handball, and are always ready to punish the opponent's mistake. Their coach rotates a lot to keep the rhythm fast. A lot of the players are similar physically, obviously Denič's call. We have to play the defense well first of all, be disciplined - the Macedonian coach stated.

- If we want to get to the quarterfinal against a team as good as Slovenia, our defense has to leave them with 22 to 24 goals - Kiro Lazarov said. That's far easier said than done.

- We wanted to leave Austria under 25, but couldn't. Luckily, we scored 36. Things have to be different against Slovenia. They scored 33-34 against everyone in the group, we have to keep them down, play like Metalurg do - Naumče Mojskovski believes.

He's aware that they have to play their own game, not try to outrun the Slovenians. 

The Austrians tried to surprise them with 5-1 defense, but Macedonia easily dealt with that, even though they didn't expect it (the Austrians always played 6-0 before that). 

Bosnia and Croatia showed how easily you can stop the Macedonians if you go out and stop Kiro, and the Slovenians will definitely try to do that. The stakes are huge today, and this will be a big game of chess between Denič and Obrvan.