Bowds ready to repeat the success of the World Cup in Zalaegerzeg

Realistically, we have a chance to go to the second stage if we play according to our quality and opportunities, because in our group we cannot say that there is a great favorite, says coach and player, Dimitar Dimitrovski

The bowling national teams of Macedonia will compete on the 11th team of World Cup (SP) in Sekeshfehrwarwar (Hungary) from today until June 7. The players of the coach and player of the male national team, Dimitar Dimitrovski, are in Group D, with the Czech Republic, Croatia and France. The bowling alleys, led by Selector Pero Gijevski are in Group C, with Slovenia, Estonia and Croatia. The two first-place selections from each of the four groups will be advanced to the quarter-finals.

– We were preparing in extremely difficult conditions without bowling and training terms. We have received little help from the bowling alley in SC « Boris Trajkovski » in the last two weeks with two terms weekly, which is too little. Realistically, we have a chance to go to the second stage if we play according to our quality and opportunities, because in our group we cannot say that there is a great favorite. Maybe a little Croatia is the advantage, but here I see a chance to play. The « foreigners » are ready and motivated to fight, so their contribution to good results will be very much dependent. At this point I do not think about the second phase, because the focus is only on the game and the results in the group – says Dimitrovski.

The previous three World Cup men’s team was ninth in 2019, in 2021 12th and 2023 it was 15th, and the women’s team did not play in 2019 and 2021, and in 2023 it was 15th.

– The group is equal. The holder of the Croatian group is visibly weakened, leaving the opportunity to be the first in the group. Our first match is with the Czech Republic, and that is our chance for a decisive victory for the quarter-finals. We have achieved the best possible preparations for the SP, given the situation with our bowling infrastructure and lack of finance. I thank the director of SC « Boris Trajkovski », who had an understanding of our problems and allowed us with decent conditions for preparations for this World Cup. However, I must emphasize that the national team made preparations for this World Cup because of the great sacrifice given in energy, time and funds from its own pocket of the national team. Our enthusiasm was not shaken by any refusal or closing door. The atmosphere in the national team is at the highest level and we expect to successfully present ourselves at the upcoming World Cup. My wish is to win the first place in the group and then fight in the play for a higher ranking – says national team player Saso Trpkovski.

The biggest sporting success a Macedonian national team has achieved is the bowling, when it won the silver medal in the Hungarian city of Zalaegerzeg 12 years ago. In the final lost to the host. The national team included Damir Fuchar, Uros Stoklas, Boris Benedik, Bojan Vlakevski, Saso Trpkovski, Ibrahim Memedi, Aleksandar Sokolovski, Martin Todorovski and Christian Kostov.

– We will be looking for our chance in the FAIR FACTOR AND DAY of the duels with the favorites Czech and Croatia coming weakened at this World Cup. With France the only victory is in our game. The only friendly preparatory match we played in Nis with Serbia. While the club training we were regular we were regular. It was difficult to fit in private and work responsibilities with the representative. We have promises that our accommodation costs and road will be covered, but we have to wait until departure. The costs of the SP fee are settled by the CFM, and the food we ourselves. If we do not cover the cost of road and accommodation and they will fall on our backs. Desire and motive exist for or pass the group at least, and what the reality will be, we will see. However, we are defending the jersey with a national coat of arms, and there is nothing more than that – the bowling alley Mladen Donkovski is clear.

Bowls of Macedonia, they got strong rivals

– For women the group is ultra heavy. Croatia is undisputed in the women’s competition and will fight for a medal, Slovenia is a country that invests in women’s bowling and it will be very difficult to match, but there is a chance if our bowlers play quality in all six positions. And with Estonia I think we will fight for the first win of the women’s first victory in the World Cup after a long time – says the President of the Bowling Federation of Macedonia (CFM), Igor Mihajlovski.

Composition, Macedonia, bowlers: Kostadin Manev, Boris Benedik, Saso Trpkovski, Damir Fuchar, Mladen Donkovski, Uros Stoklas, Nikola Andonovski, and coach and player is Dimitar Dimitrovski.

Composition, Macedonia, bowlers: Stefania Aleksovska, Andrea Veljanoska, Dance Naumovska, Biljana Gavrilova, Dragana Gavrilova, Elena Avramovska, Milena Petreski, Mirjana Mladenovska. Selector: Pero Gijevski.

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