Hopeful Hajduk ready for Deportivo

The prospect of facing RC Deportivo La Coruña in the UEFA Cup next week has not dampened HNK Hajduk Split's spirits though coach Goran Vučević knows his side "are not favourites".

Spanish sojourn
Former Hajduk midfielder Vučević, who was named as the club's coach in May, is in upbeat mood as he looks ahead to the first leg of the second qualifying round tie in Spain next Thursday with his side unbeaten in all competitions so far this season. "Of course we could get easier opponents but I am not disappointed with the draw as I lived and played in Spain for years [at FC Barcelona between 1992 and 1997]," said the 37-year-old. "It will be easy for me to get some info about our opponents and I know Spanish football well."

'Not favourites'
Hajduk's European odyssey this season began with a 7-0 aggregate trouncing of Malta's Birkirkara FC in the first qualifying round, and while UEFA Intertoto Cup winners Deportivo should be a tougher nut to crack, Vučević feels confident. "We are not favourites, so anything we achieve against Deportivo will be good. They will be an attractive opponent for our fans and with a little luck we will get to the next round. Deportivo are definitely a strong team, but not so much that we could say we don't have a chance."

Ibričić advantages
Bosnia-Herzegovina midfielder Senijad Ibričić, a new signing from NK Zagreb, agreed. "We have two big games ahead and we are not without hope," said the 22-year-old. "Our biggest advantages are that Deportivo's domestic season does not start until 31 August and we are playing the first match away from home. They don't know much about us so we can surprise them. And in front of so many of our fans in the second leg we can't play badly."

Aris draw
Fellow Croatian UEFA Cup contenders NK Slaven Koprivnica are no less optimistic after the draw paired them with Greece's Aris Thessaloniki FC following an 8-0 aggregate win against another Maltese side, Marsaxlokk FC. "It's a great draw, I wanted something like this," said coach Mile Petković. "We are playing against quality opponents – a side we can play and beat, though, I wouldn't have minded playing an Italian or Spanish team. It would be great financially and my players could measure themselves against players from the strong teams."