The pivot of HC Ferencbarosi TC Dragana Cvijic spent in Moscow only half a year, but left a bright mark. Handballfast got through the Serbian in Budapest and questioned her about life in Hungary, recent past and many other things. As it turned out, you can leave CSKA, but it’s impossible to forget it.
— After leaving RK Krim in December 2021 you signed a two-year contract with Ferencvarosi TC starting from the season-2022/23. Then you concluded an agreement till end of the last season with HC CSKA Moscow: you won the Cup of Russia, reached the Super League final… Was it hard to leave, taking into account the wonderful atmosphere in the club and emotional farewell?
— Oh, I fell in love with this club and the city and took great memories with me… Our farewell was really hard. I found myself in CSKA, we had a great team. We keep in touch with girls to this day, if they need something, I’m always ready to help them.
It’s a pity they can’t play in the Champions League now, it’s a great loss for handball. There are strong young players in CSKA, who have something to show in Europe. And it’s a real challenge — to fight against such a strong team.
— Could you single out someone among young CSKA players with great potential?
— Elena Mikhaylichenko and Antonina Skorobogatchenko are very talented, I adore them. Elena is particularly impressive, I’ve never seen a handball player of her age before, who played so mature that made me forget how old was she and who was so energized.
However, both of them, Elena and Antonina, demonstrate such maturity that no one would ever guess that they are in their early twenties. I always admired their play, they can do everything and will make progress. I thought we were peers from the viewpoint of handball. I enjoyed interacting with them on the court. All I had to do was to take a position and raise my hands. I realized I would get a ball at the appropriate moment.
— Do you monitor CSKA in the new season, which plays without losing a single point yet?
— I expected it. Though Super League is a high-level tournament. I say this with confidence since I played in other strong championships — Romanian and now Hungarian… Players work hard in clubs in Russia and are technically savvy. And still I expected CSKA to take another step ahead: the team is concentrated on internal tournaments now. And I’m sure the Moscovites will win both remaining trophies.
Photo: HC CSKA press; 24.hu, nalunk.ujszo.com
