2025-07-20 18:00

Ivan Martinovic, the 27-year-old Croatian who was voted the best right-back at the World Championship in January, will continue his career at One Veszprém. Martinovic has spent the last seven years in the Bundesliga, the world's strongest league, and was named the captain of the Croatian national team after the World Cup. We interviewed him about the new chapter in his career.

How well do you know the handball club of Veszprém?

I've never played against them, but I know a lot about the club because since I was younger, since I've been following handball, the Hungarian team has always been in the Champions League. It's one of the best handball clubs in Europe, and so I can say in the world, and it's always been a contender to win the final in the BL, but almost always to be in the final four in Cologne, and it's qualified many times. But these are not just things that I know about Veszprem, but everybody who is in some way part of the sport.

Have you heard about our fans?

Of course, the Veszprém fans are famous, everyone knows how they cheer for the team for sixty minutes! What I really like is that during games the whole arena is in red jerseys, which reminds me a bit of NBA basketball, because there the whole arena is in a single-coloured jersey as well. It means a lot to me to be a part of this and I can't wait to play in front of 6,000 fans in Veszprém!

What do you consider your strengths?

It's not easy to talk about myself, but if I had to pick a strength, it would be my long distance shots, not only from the right side of the court, but from different angles. I'm originally a right back, but I like to run to the middle or even go over to the left side and shoot from there. In fact, I'm not far away from trying to shoot from the wing. Other than that, I would probably mention my quick reactions and footwork, but most of all I would like to be able to show all of that in Veszprém and help the team win trophies.

What motivated you most to sign for Veszprém?

On the one hand, the biggest motivation was the chance to play in the Champions League. On the other hand, the chance to work with one of the best coaches in the world, Xavier Pascual, and under his guidance, with the best players in the world. For me, this is definitely a step to the next level.

And to be closer to your family?

Part of my family lives in Germany and part in Vienna, which is a two-hour drive from Veszprém. My wife and I have already found our apartment in the city, three minutes from the Veszprém Arena, and we can't wait to move in. Of course, it will also be easier for me to visit my grandparents in Croatia, and it will be easier to visit when we play with the national team at home or when we have training camps.

In seven years in the Bundesliga, what have you improved the most?

I could say a lot of things, because I have actually improved in all areas in the seven years. Every year I got stronger physically and mentally, the latter was important because you have to learn to deal with the fact that the Bundesliga is a very tough league, where the first team can lose to the last. In Germany I have been to several clubs, worked with several coaches and played with many players in the same team. I learned something from all of them that made me better player, and the result was that after seven years in the German league I was able to join One Veszprém, one of the best clubs in the world. That was my way.

You were voted best right-back at the World Cup in January, but you have never played in the Champions League. Is Veszprém a step forward?

Absolutely, and this is particularly important because I am at the top as an athlete. This is the perfect time to change and level up, because these are my best years with the best team. I feel that after seven years, I have earned the opportunity to prove myself in Veszprém and show myself at the highest level in Europe.

You won a silver medal with the national team at the World Championships in January. Do you think there could be another golden era for Croatian handball?

I believe so, because we have a great team. In the last four years we couldn't really show our talent because we had bad luck, we had a lot of injuries and that's why we often didn't make it, but recently we've become more experienced and the World Championship silver has given us confidence. And after the Worlds, in the qualifiers, we proved that we were not only lucky, and at next year's European Championships we want to show how good we are again, and the goal is to win another medal.

You just said you felt you had reached a new level. Have your goals changed?

My biggest goal now is to win the Champions League, because I have the chance with this team. Everyone in Veszprém is waiting for it, wants it and we can do it, even though the men's handball elite is getting tougher. I hope that we can give this club what it has long deserved and I would like to play as big a part as possible in that.

You are the captain of the Croatian national team. Do you enjoy the greater responsibility?

I love this role and it's a great honour to be the captain of the Croatian national team after a legend like Domagoj Duvnjak. I grew up on his game, and he was the first person to tell me that I would be the next captain of the national team, and I was speechless. It's crazy, I still can hardly believe it! I love taking care of the team, the same way he did and the way he showed me, because I was constantly watching what he was doing and how he was doing it. I'll do my best.

Why do you think you were chosen for this position?

You'd have to ask them first of all, but maybe it's because I've always been disciplined, I've worked hard, I've shown respect to everyone, I've been in the national team for a long time and I've gained a lot of experience. It was also perfect timing, everything just seemed to have come together. I've had a crazy year! I won a World Championship silver medal, I was named captain of the national team, then I moved to Veszprém, and I'm also starting a new chapter in my personal life, as I got married at the end of June. All I can do now is smile!

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