Balic arrives in the Bundesliga
Balic arrives in the Bundesliga
It was the biggest ever media gathering in the German city of Wetzlar: on Tuesday morning Ivano Balic was presented as the latest signing by HSG Wetzlar.
“This is the biggest ever transfer coup in our club’s history. We are absolutely excited that a player like Ivano Balic has decided to join our squad,” said Björn Seipp, director of the German club, which had finished last season’s Bundesliga in seventh place.
34-year-old Balic will get the number 34 at his new club. The Croat had to search for a new club after his former team Atletico Madrid withdrew from all competitions and closed down the handball department.
After the rumours were spread that “Mozart” Balic would join Belarusian side Meshkov Brest proving to be wrong, he was presented in Germany on Tuesday, despite previously saying in several interviews that playing in Germany would be tough for his type of game.
The arrival of the two-time World Handball Player of the year, World and Olympic champion and “Most Valuable Player” of several major tournaments has boosted the expectations in Wetzlar (situated approximately 100 kilometres away from Frankfurt).
Extra-ordinary signing
“It was our biggest wish to sign Ivano Balic and now it is an extra-ordinary day for our club, simply sensational,” said coach Kai Wandschneider.
Balic, who signed a one-year-contract for HSG valid until 2014, was quite relaxed during his presentation.
“I had some options where to go next, but Wetzlar was the best one. And now for me the time has come to be part of the best handball league in the world.
“I hope I can help the team. I believe that my experience can increase the performing level of our team by five to ten percent,” Balic said.
Wetzlar was even praised by Martin Schwalb, former coach of HSG and currently leading the VELUX EHF Champions League winner HSV Hamburg, for the transfer.
“Congratulations for Wetzlar, this transfer is brilliant for the whole Bundesliga. Balic is an extra-ordinary player with brilliant passes and moves.
“It is fun to see him play – and he will definitely increase the number of his fans in Germany,” Schwalb said.
Norwegian influence
But how did Balic and Wetzlar come together? Balic’s former Madrid team mate, Norwegian goalkeeper Magnus Dahl, had joined Wetzlar before the collapse of Atletico and Dahl contacted Balic.
“He told me that the team and the club are quite ok and I should come,” explained Balic.
On Tuesday the Croat had his first training session with his new team, his first home match will be the start of the Bundesliga on 25 August against former EHF Cup winner TBV Lemgo.
Before he joined Atletico Madrid in 2012, Balic had played four years for RK Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb in Croatia and in Spain for Portland San Antonio.
Photo: HSG Wetzlar
