Slovenia can already secure a spot at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro if it becomes world champion in Qatar. A more achievable goal in Qatar will be finishing in the top seven, which would secure Slovenia Olympic qualification matches, to be played in April 2016.
Everything will be alright after Christmas
The task coach Borisa Denič's team faces is not impossible. At the last World Handball Championship in Spain, Slovenia finished fourth. That's something team captain Zorman also realizes. But at the beginning of the team preparations he is suffering from a small injury. "My thigh muscle feels stiff. I couldn't start a sprint, so I also missed out my club's last Champions League match, as well as two, three matches in the national championship. The ultrasound hasn't shown anything, but we won't rush into things. I think that after Christmas everything will be alright," said Zorman optimistically.
A cult surrounding the national team has already been created
The team's preparations have fallen right in the middle of the Christmas-New Year holidays during the merry month of December. However that isn't bothering Zorman and his teammates: "As the captain of this generation I have the feeling that everyone is happy to return to the team. In the last period we've created a cult surrounding the national team, of which everyone wants to be a part of. It truly is the merry month of December, but we are together, we're having a good time and get along well. And that's essential. Nobody lacks motive. First, because of the World Handball Championship, second, because it will be held in Qatar, where we can surely expect new milestones, and third, because that's where they'll be giving out tickets for the Olympic qualifications."
In Qatar Slovenia will be stronger than in Spain 2013
Team captain Zorman is of the opinion that the team is now stronger than it was two years ago. Since the last big tournament many players have become more experienced by playing in strong teams abroad. "We are stronger, but that can also be a double-edged sword. Everyone now knows our team well and they do fear us. That's why our opponents will have a different approach when playing against us. However despite all that we have to focus only on ourselves. I think the experience from the last world championship in Spain will benefit us. We won't be making the same mistakes."
Everyone knows how to play handball today
At first glance it seems the world championship draw has been favourable for Slovenia. Not only for the group stage, but also with regards to Slovenia's potential opponents in the last 16. Is it really so, or is that just a misleading assumption? "On paper it all seems achievable. But you can easily get burned. Everyone plays handball today. You have to be fully prepared and concentrated for every opponent. In short, you have to be in 'top' form. I think we have begun playing in a certain system, we play easier. I always say that our neighbours, the Croatians, should be our role models. It definitely seems easy enough on paper, but it will be more difficult on the court. We all know what the last 16 and quarterfinal matches bring with them. The team's daily form will be decisive. The big favourites can also fall," warns Zorman.

In the photo gallery below you can see a few images of Tuesday's practice in Zreče.