Private duel in the ÖHB Cup

“Being an opponent – that will be weird”

Fivers' forward Marin Martinovic (on the ball) wants to give it his all in the cup hit against Schwaz.(Bild: Fivers/Nigg)

The Fivers Margareten will host Schwaz in the Cup clash on Saturday and are eager to reach the final four. Backcourt player Marin Martinovic will face his best friend and best man Boris Tanic, who is returning to his handball home in Hollgasse for the first time after his transfer.

"Having to go into the other dressing room for the first time, coming in from the other side - that will certainly be special. I have respect for that." Goalkeeper Boris Tanic was with the Fivers for 18 years, on Saturday (19:30) there will be a big return to Hollgasse with Schwaz in the Handball Cup quarter-final - and a private duel with Marin Martinovic. The two 27-year-olds have been best friends since childhood. Tanic was best man at Marin's wedding to Ana, and in the summer it will be the other way round when Boris marries his Carmen in Bavaria. "We are very close. I'm very happy to finally see 'Bobo' back in the hall with us. But as an opponent - that will be strange," said Martinovic. "The fact that it's a deciding game makes it even more special. You have to put friendship aside for a moment. We can have a beer after the match."

Boris Tanic (left) was best man at Marin and Ana's wedding.(Bild: Privat)

There was already a special duel in the first leg of the league match, which leaders Schwaz and West Vienna champion Samuel Kofler won 34:29 at home. "We couldn't stop laughing when we scored a seven-meter penalty," smiles Tanic, who scored for the Tyroleans. And recently watched "his" Fivers successor Leon Bergmann make his debut in Austria's senior team at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Hanover. "Of course I would also be delighted to be called up. That would be a great honor. But Leon is a very talented player, a future prospect. You can understand that decision." The rookie, who is only 19 years old, showed his skills especially in the game against Germany and is still impressed by his debut. "It was indescribable, really cool - a childhood dream! But our goal was Paris. That's a shame!"

Fivers wing Eric Damböck is looking forward to teammate Michael Miskovez.(Bild: Fivers/Nigg)

Bergmann was one of six red-white-red team players with a Fivers connection around ÖHB captain Niko Bilyk. He will be joined by wings Jakob Nigg and Eric Damböck in Saturday's showdown for the Cup Final Four. It will be just as special for the latter, as he will face his team roommate Michael Miskovez. "We get on really well, we've developed a friendship," says Damböck, who demands "proper men's handball" for promotion. Bergmann also emphasizes: "We want to progress and continue to win a title. The Cup is a good place to do that because it probably offers an easier chance."

For now, the full focus is on Schwaz. One player in particular must be overcome in the strong defense: Homecoming Tanic...