Bosnia and Herzegovina handball players ahead of the match: Estonia is a serious team, but we are going for the win

The men's handball team has gathered in Ilidža, where they have started preparations for the first two matches of the World Championship qualifiers, reports the Patria agency.

The opponents of Bilal Šuman's team will be the selection of Estonia. The first match is scheduled for tomorrow, October 25, while the return leg is three days later in Tallinn.

- I wouldn't talk about pressure. We have segments where we can be better. They certainly see their chance in the qualifiers, and all three national teams see a chance for the playoffs. We need to focus on ourselves. We need to transfer these things we agree on to the field. We have many quality players, we have the potential to match Estonia and other national teams - Šuman stated at today's press conference.

The team captain, Mirsad Terzić, praised the Estonians, who have two significant reinforcements from the Bundesliga.

- Estonia with shooters from the Bundesliga is a serious team. We are thinking and working on ourselves. In previous matches, Austria did not outplay us, we played poorly in the last 15 minutes - Terzić stated.

He expressed hope that the BiH national team, with the support of the audience, will achieve the maximum number of points from the first two matches. 

- Two matches will not be easy. We are not a team for which we can say that we are superior to Estonia. I hope we will get points, and wait for the Swiss with full spoils - stated Nikola Prce, a BiH national team player.

Ivan Karačić said that he hopes for BiH's return to the World Championship.

- This is the second cycle with coach Šuman, I hope that this qualification cycle will go more smoothly. I hope everything will go as it should - Karačić told reporters.

Before the gathering, coach Bilal Šuman faced withdrawals from three players - Duško Čelica, Marko Tarabochia, and goalkeeper Nebojša Grahovac, due to which he sent additional calls to two center backs. Goran Daničić from Borac Banja Luka and Adnan Harmandić from Bosna Visoko were invited to the preparations, as well as the goalkeeper of Caen Denis Serdarević.

Switzerland is also in Group Six of the qualifiers, against whom the BiH handball players will play a doubleheader on January 10 and 13 next year.

The winner of the group will qualify for the playoffs.