Metalurh challenge for Grncarov
Friday, January 10, 2003
Article summary
FC Metalurh Donetsk have signed OFK Beograd's F.Y.R. Macedonia international defender Boban Grncarov.
Article body
FC Metalurh Donetsk have signed F.Y.R. Macedonian international defender Boban Grncarov.
International experience
The tall 20-year-old has joined the Ukrainian side from Yugoslav side OFK Beograd. Despite his tender years, Grncarov has already made two appearances for his national team, making his debut in August 2002 against Malta. He was also a regular for his club in the first part of the 2002/03 season, making 15 appearances and scoring once.
Training camp
Grncarov, who joined OFK from FK Vardar in his home country, will join Metalurh in the Turkish city of Antalya, where the Ukrainian side are holding a mid-season training camp. With the Ukrainian league currently in its winter break, the Donetsk outfit are fifth in the table, five points adrift of fourth-placed FC Dynamo Kyiv.
Defensive cover
Metalurh were knocked out of the UEFA Cup and Ukrainian Cup at the early stages. "We see big tasks ahead for this team," said head coach Semen Altman. "We are trying to learn from our defeats. We lost 8-0 against SV Werder Bremen mainly because of disastrous defending. But, with Grncaroc on board, I hope we are insured against such terrible displays in the future."
