In the winter transfer period, the volleyball players of Mladost Zagreb strengthened their ranks with national team libero, 187 cm tall 28-year-old Hrvoje Pervan. After nine seasons in Ribola Kaštela, Pervan started this season in his home club Split.
“It just happened , because I was the national team all summer, and there were some combinations with going abroad, which in the end did not materialize, and Kaštela already closed the roster by autumn. So I came back to Split, to help them stabilize, and at the same time help some young players that Split is gathering, from the cadets onwards.An offer from Mladost arrived in the winter transfer window which I had no doubts about, and I have been at “Dom odbojke hall” since January 4.”
How did you get used to the new team, to the new city?
“Without any problems. It took me 5-6 days to get the system of defense, the way Mladost team plays, and since then there have been no more problems. I have already played four matches, two in the MEVZA league, one Superliga match and one friendly match.I can say that I am completely satisfied, but with everything, from teammates, coaches, management, the club in general… We have everything, from the gym to medical care, a truly professional facility. Now we just want to continue with good games and win some of the trophies that we are aiming for this season.”
Until the end of the season, you have the domestic championship, the Cup and the regional MEVZA league ahead of you.
“The desire is to go all the way in each of these competitions. I have a lot of confidence, my teammates are great, they accepted me, and I believe it will be a successful season until the end. We signed until summertime, and we’ll see from there.”
Immediately after the club season, the national team season starts, in which this summer you have the Golden Group of the Europen League and the European Championship ahead of you.
“The list of national team members has not arrived yet, although I hope to be invited again. We had a great atmosphere last year, achieved great results, so I believe that we will continue this summer in the same way. We are a good team, the coach has arranged us well, he is an excellent psychologist, in addition to being a top coach. He used the potential of each of us in the best sense, and combined it all into a great team.”
At the end of the week, Hrvoje will go home to Split with Mladost.
“On Friday, we will play the quarter-final of the Croatian Cup with Split, and on Saturday immediately the Superliga match. Considering that the Cup match was left behind from the first part of the league, I have no right to perform, only in the Superliga. But I’m definitely looking forward to coming to Split as part of a new team”, said the excellent libero Hrvoje Pervan at the end, who, according to his own statement, does not distinguish between receiving and playing defense.
“As a libero you depend on yourself anyway, and if you’re not strong in your head, if you don’t have self-confidence, then there can be problems. I personally don’t make a difference between receiving and defending.”
