Smajlagić named coach of HC Bosna Sunce Osiguranje

Olympic Gold Medalist Irfan Smajlagić has been announced as the new coach of HC Bosna Sunce Osiguranje. Smajlagić has signed on for the next three years. Smajlagić was born in 1961 and as a player has won many accolades to name but a few Olympic Gold in Atlanta 1996, Olympic Bronze in Seoul 1988 and World Championship Silver in Iceland in 1995. Smajlagić was also the assistant coach under Lino Červar of the Croatian national team. He comes to HC Bosna Sunce Osiguranje via Egypt where he spent time coaching the Egyptian national team.

Ambitious Smajlagić

The ambitious coach will announce big changes for the club and after a thorough analysis; he will choose his staff and players for the upcoming season. HC Bosna Sunce Osiguranje was drawn into group B on the occasion of the EHF Champions Draw in Vienna towards the end of June and the team are stepping up their preparation for the start of the 2009/2010 EHF Men’s Champions League season. This is what Smajlagić had to say about the impending season:

“There is no need to say anything about Veszprem, Löwen and Chambery. There are top clubs with very small differences in quality. And Gorenje has proved its quality by winning the Slovenian Championship. They are all very tough opponents and I expect my team to be tough opponent too. It is too early for predictions, nevertheless, we need to reinforce the team first and then we can discuss our chances when the season starts.”