Domen Makuc: "Talent means you have a different vision than the rest“

“It is a special feeling and a privilege to be here. I think it is great what EHF is doing to help young players on their road to becoming professionals“, said Makuc, who advised upcoming prospects along with fellow Slovenian legend Vid Kavticnik and long-time Croatian international Luka Stepancic in Celje's Arena Zlatorog during the 'Player of the Match' (POTM) event on Wednesday.

This project, which was introduced in 2019, aims to support young stars as they make their transition to a professional handball career. Both Kavticnik and Stepancic have been in the RYT programme for some time and have already worked with young athletes in POTM events, RYT camps and online ambassador sessions in the past, sharing their valuable insights and importance of player responsibility for their talent and all decisions from different age perspectives.

Makuc, who is still quite young himself (24), shared with EHF how he would have liked to have this similar opportunity when he was entering the world of professional handball a few years ago. He would have been a great student so to speak, with plenty of questions for his idols.

“I wish I was able to talk to some more experienced players when I was younger. What would I ask them? Oh, a bunch of stuff. For example, how they look at handball as a game, primarily in terms of better preparation. Before, I was not paying attention to those things, I would just go out and play, but today I see how much work goes into videoanalyses of the games. Quality individual preparation is necessary as well.“

One of those who Domen would have liked to ask a few questions would probably be Ivano Balic.

“I used to love watching him play. Who didn't!? I also enjoyed watching Andy Schmid during his prime, while he was playing in Rhein-Neckar Löwen. Generally I like players who enjoy playing freely and sometimes make that extra pass, which some coaches do not like.“

Instead of being one of the players sat on the floor in front of the handball giants Vid, Luka and Domen in Arena Zlatorog, searching for valuable advice, Domen was on the other side. In the role of the speaker. The motivator. The experienced one. Even though he is only 24. This time he was the one sharing his own experience to those not so much younger than him. What did the players want to know?

“Mostly about how to choose the right club“, Makuc revealed.

“First of all, you have to talk to the head coach to see what plans they have for you. Also, you need a good agent who will take care of many secondary things, because you must focus exclusively on handball. That is the only way you will be able to perform in the best possible way.“

One of Slovenia's finest players of the new generation expressed his delight about the RYT app. It is a newly-launched EHF product which provides valuable assistance to young players about important off-court topics such as getting training in media activities, mental health, nutrition, anti-doping, self-managing a dual career and many more. In other words, it helps them tackle many challenges outside of the handball court, which might in some ways influence their execution in games.

“The app is terrific“, thinks Makuc.

“When I got injured, I used to think I was doing everything in my recovery the right way, but then I realised I could have done a lot more. Mental health is important too. I thought I was mentally strong, but then injury strikes and you are never ready. You must stay strong, think positive and go forward. Furthermore, I started adding supplements to my nutrition, which also helped me improve my performance.“

Former RK Celje Pivovarna Laško player was unquestionably highly talented – and still is, but he became aware very early that talent alone would not be enough for him to reach his goals. Despite the fact he played in the EHF Champions League as a 16-year-old. During that sensitive age there is always danger that a player might get too overwhelmed by the occasion and pressure. This was not the case with Makuc.

“I was never of the impression that it was too soon for me to play in the Champions League. Some thought that it was. I just loved handball so much, I was not thinking if it was too soon or not. I was playing in the best Slovenian club, basically at home. It was special.“

Domen's message to younger players on their way to becoming high-level athletes is rational and sensible.

“Talent means you have something, a different vision than the rest. Speaking from my own experience, I always knew that I was talented, but I also worked hard. That is my main advice to these players. Train hard, but also smart. Recovery is almost equally important as hard training. Everyone in the club, from coaches to physios, must help you develop a long-term plan.“