News

HC Alkaloid has swapped its club base in Avtokomanda for Mavrovo, where the team enjoys the peace and top-notch conditions to go through the second phase of the preseason, focused on building physical form. Petar Basnarkov, assistant to head coach Kiril Lazarov, is in charge of getting the squad into top physical shape.

Basnarkov has been part of the club since the very start and has helped create the team’s training principles and system. A structure that is now fully embraced by the players, who have adapted to every element of it, making preparations smoother for both the players and the coaching staff.

Basnarkov says he is pleased with how the preseason is going so far.

On how preseason is progressing…

“The players, especially the ones who have been around longer, already know the principles. This is my fifth season with the club, and they are familiar with my style of work, just like I’m familiar with their performance levels.

Basically, we work throughout the summer. The players get about ten days off, and then we kick things off with what’s known as the off-season, a concept more common in basketball. That way, by the time official preseason starts, we are already 70–80% ready.

This is key because it shortens the time we need to build physical readiness and gives head coach Kiril Lazarov more time to focus on tactics. That is especially important this season since we have important matches coming up early. So, from day one, the players are already able to train with the ball.”

On how the players are looking so far…

“Honestly, I’m happy with where we’re at. Every year we keep getting better. The players clearly worked during the off-season, they came in ready. The same goes for the new team members. They have clearly put in work too. There are some minor things to iron out, old habits, automatic movements, but that’s normal. We are fully committed, every single day counts, and overall, I’m happy with how things are going. Marko Mitev and Nikola Kosteski are currently training separately with the physiotherapist, but they will rejoin the team sessions next week,” says Basnarkov.