Leading men can’t wait for Poreč Major

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Filip Silic and Ivan Zeljkovic are aiming for success on home sand next week. Photocredit: Tomislav Moze.

There are two popular players who are looking forward to digging and diving on home sand in Poreč next week.

Croatians Filip Silic and Ivan Zeljkovic wowed the crowd at last year’s Poreč Major but despite suffering three defeats in the pool play their memories of the tournament still live fresh in the memory.

“Last year it was our first big tournament and playing at home is always big, so we’re really looking forward to it again,” Silic told us. “It’s been a good year for us and doing well at Poreč this summer is one of our biggest goals.”

So what is so special about the Poreč Major?

“The crowd,” says 21-year-old Zeljkovic. “Last year the stadium was full and everyone was cheering for us. It was so exciting. In front of the home fans it was amazing. All the other teams were impressed with the stadium and the city of Poreč.”

“The home crowd are definitely worth an extra two or three points per set, for sure,” adds Silic, whose crazy long dreadlocks make him unmistakable on and off court.

Silic and Zeljkovic will be aiming to improve on last year’s performance but believe the last 12 months on the sand will stand them good stead this summer – and hopefully help them through to the knockout stages in Poreč.

“Experience in this sport is absolutely vital – the number one thing,” said Silic. “Experience will help us improve. We have been playing in Opens in Turkey and China but it is in Croatia in front of our home fans that we want to win.”

The duo are one five Croatian teams entered into the tournament with 19-year-old pair Kresimir Karaula and Marin Jercic the only other men’s team entered.

So the question is: can the Croatians swim through the pool stages and make the knockout stages? There’s only one way to find out! Get yourselves down the Porec and be part of the fun!