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Mirkulovski probably coming back for Metalurg

Lino Červar announced that Skopje will be the handball center of Europe today. And he didn't miss by much, this is the game of the week in the Champions League, a long-expected city derby between bitter rivals and the tickets for this match were gone in a few hours.

They played at the start of the SEHA league season, but SEHA league is a second-grade competition that all Macedonian clubs see as a training ground for experiments and the initial draw should not be taken too seriously.

- We have many problems with our players. We are not looking for an alibi, that is not our style. We know Vardar have more players and are in a better situation than we are, but no one can take away our desire to win - said Lino ahead of the big clash.

- We have to go into this game with both heart and mind. This is not a game for the faint-hearted. This is game for fighters, for enthusiasts. 

As many times before, Lino said many things without saying too much of anything. What's important before this match is the situation in Metalurg.

Filip Mirkulovski hasn't been playing from the start of the season because of his injury and operation, but his operation was somewhat timed in order for him to recover for this match. His appearance has not been confirmed, but according to our information, Červar will have all players at his disposal except right back Nikola Kedžo. This means Pavel Atman is also ready, even though he was got injured recently and missed the game against Vojvodina in Novi Sad. Metalurg beat them with their reserve team. Their main defensive players  Markoski and Jonoski have some minor injuries, but they should play, as is often the case with Červar's Metalurg. This is simply a game you do not miss.

A potential return for Mirkulovski is important for several reasons, especially since Renato Vugrinec also isn't at 100 % fitness and Červar has some options to rotate the front court with  Mirkulovski, Atman and Mojsovski.

It is also very important to note that Darko Stanić's suspension has been lifted, but that was already know as trying to play without Stanić would be counter-productive. After all, the Metalurg players are still waiting for their salaries, but it is being speculated that Stanić got some money which is probably another factor in his calming down.

Even though this is a city derby, no one is a real favorite against Metalurg in Skopje, so Vardar do not have any doubts about Lino getting the best from his team. This is a game you wouldn't skip if you were missing a leg...

Metalurg beat PSG at home, Vardar got draws in Skopje against Barca and Paris. Both have a win in Switzerland, while Vardar lost in Minsk and Metalurg beat the Belarus team. This is an important match in terms of deciding who goes through.

- I hope my team will be competitive and play, and we shall see if that is enough to go through. We respect our opponents and we believe our chances are 50-50. Except Angelov and Nedanovski, everyone is in good form - said Vardar coach, Andon Boškovski.

- I've spent three years in Metalurg and I didn't play much and this is an additional motive, to show that I should have played more - said Vardar keeper, Petar Angelov, one of the crucial players for the draw against PSG.

Vardar have been struggling with injuries of their right backs Alex Dujšebajev and Vladimir Petrić in the past few weeks, and there are no news about their state, but considering they've trained with the team they are expected to go out on the Boris Trajkovski arena.

Vardar have better wings and pivots, Červar's team has better defense and a more organized front court, while motivation is huge on both ends. A derby in Skopje that is becoming a war zone...

 

I wish I could only realize the role of favorite Vardar has been given. Coach Cervar has been complaining about injuries all season long, and the fact is, they really struggle with injuries, but Cervar always had all of the players at his disposal for the Champion League games. Other than with Mirkulovski who underwent a surgery, and even he might be on the team today, Vardar struggle with back back court players. They are not top level players and tough Metalurg's defense made up of Jonovski and Markoski, will know how to take advantage of that. Stanic always did well on the goal in games like these. Vardar's wingers Dibirov and Brumen are top level, but wingers never win big games. If Atman - Mojsovksi - Vugrinec, even Mirkulovski, do their best, I really don't see how Vardar could win this.