Filip Filipovic: I am coming to best national league in Europe

A few days after Filip Filipovic officially announced that he had signed a 1-year contract with Szolnok, Serbia’s captain started preparations with the new team.

Today, Szolnok held its first training for the upcoming season, which will start with the Hungarian Cup.

A lot of the Hungarian media attended the gathering of the team. Filipovic was in the spotlight.

“I am glad because Szolnok’s president invited me and showed me his trust. Szolnok has been one of the high-class European teams, and that was a motive plus for me to come to Hungary and prove myself in the best national league in Europe”, Filipovic said in an interview for the Szolnok TV.

Asked if he feels pressure since everybody expects a lot of him, Filipovic answered:

“I played for Pro Recco for ten years, and I am used to playing under pressure. I know that the stress I’ll have in Szolnok won’t be more comfortable than it was in Pro Recco. That isn’t new for me. I am aware of the burden which I carry because of my name and career. The pressure is on something I’ve been accustomed since I’ve been playing sports professionally.”

Several top European clubs targeted Filipovic during the transfer window, but he decided to join Szolnok.

“Yes, it was really about other teams, but in the end, I got the most concrete offer from Szolnok.”, he said in an interview with the website vlv.hu.

Three Serbs welcomed Filipovic in Szolnok – head coach Zivko Gocic, and players Dusko Pijetlovic and Radomir Drasovic. But, Filipovic knows most of his new teammates, not just the three compatriots.

“Sure, I know everyone, some by sight, but that’s changing now. I believe we will be a good team. It will take some time for this, but I am sure we will perform well, and there can be no doubt that we will do our best.”

The European champion Ferencvaros seems to be the firmest favorite in the next season of the Hungarian League and Cup. Does Filipovic think it is conceivable for Szolnok to get the championship title in front of them?

“Of course. I believe we may have a chance to win the trophy. The season is very long, I am confident that we will be able to play good matches with everyone. I signed for Szolnok to help the team perform well on all fronts.”

How strange will it be that Zivko Gocics will be your coach? He was your predecessor in the Serbian national team in the position of team captain, you played a lot of matches with him in the national team and Partizan

“On the one hand, I am a professional player. Still, that situation is not a problem, because we know each other very well not only in the water, but also outside the pool, and we have always been in a good relationship”, Filipovic said at the end of the interview for vlv.hu.

Szolnok for the season 2020/21: Viktor Nagy, Mark Banyai (goalkeepers), Daniel Angyal, Dusko Pijetlovic,David Jansik,Radomir Drasovic, Zsombor Szeghalmi, Farkas Dory, Norman Schmolcz, Andras Teleki , Akos Konarik, Gergo Kovacs, Adam Nagy, Filip Filipovic.
Coaching staff: Zivko Gocic (head coach), Zoltan Hangay, Gergo Vincze.