Dante Stipica is back. Young goalkeeper is again in full training, after the break caused by knee injury last October. Injury is finally a history for him.
Stipica went through surgery successfully, and after physical rehab he began training under supervision of goalies' coach Zoran Varvodić, alongside other three keepers Lovre Kalinić, Ivo Grbić and Marko Ranilović.
"I went back to full training two weeks ago. I feel great, working hard but satisfied because everything I did now paid off".
What was the hardest for you in this period of time?
"The worst is to feel so solitude when drop off the team. You wish you are part of the side again, and train with your co-players, to be tired but satisfied after every practice."
What was the most helpful for you?
"Above anything, family's support. It's much easier to have family with you. My mother Iva, father Frane, sister Ivona, girlfriend Anja helped a lot to endure in the hardest moments. My family always supported my wishes and ambitions, not only in football, but also in every other aspect of life, like my law school studying. Still, football is my life, because I know how much of blood and tears I invested into it. You can't experience while studying. Thus I believe to be around football all my life.
What were you dreaming about?
"I dreamt to stand on a goal again, to return to practices. It was the most important goal.
Did you fulfill your childhood dream with playing with Hajduk?
"Definitely. I grew up in Veli Varoš (old part of Split on Marjan hill slopes - rem. Hajduk.hr), in Šenoa's street. As a kid I was always on the street, in alleys of my neighbourhood. Everyone lived for Hajduk there, including me. I enjoyed in preparations for matches, when my whole street crew would go together on a stand, and always dreamed I will be the one they will go watching."
Who were you going to matches with?
"My father used to take me to northwest stand. He did a big part of the job making me to fall in love with Hajduk, and to start practicing football. He used to be a goalie, during 1980s in Dalmatinac, but he was also good in school and decided to take that route. I must say that match that influenced on me the most was the one against Roma. That was truly spectacular!"
Did you always want to be a goalkeeper?
"Not really. Whenever we were playing in our neighbourhood, I never wanted to stand on a goal. After I came to a pitch, it turned to be different. I loved that feeling when the whole game is coming toward you. When you are playing in the field, you don't participate in everything that happens there, but when you are a goalkeeper, there are moments when everything depends on you. I loved that."
Who were your idols in Hajduk?
"While I was growing up, there were Pletikosa, Runje, Sunara, Vlado Balić, Kale. There were some great goalies, but I always loved Stipe Pletikosa the most, because of his keeping style, but also for his image and attitude. He was very young when began keeping, and still was somehow special, as a person, and as a goalie."
When did you start in Hajduk?
"I first came to Dalmatinac, in the age of 8 or 9. When I was 11, I moved to Hajduk. We had good generation, many of them are still around - Andrijašević, Jonjić, Tičinović, and Lovre Kalinić who was a year older. Forward we had Lendrić i Vukušić, and Glumac in the back. When we were playing in U17 competition we already had good team."
What football means to you?
"For me it's a way of life, joy and happiness. Of course, there are always hard moments, it's been really hard time for me while I was injured. I just couldn't wait to go back to a routine of practices and matches."
What Hajduk means to you?
"My first experience of Hajduk was being its fan, and that's why it will always be ahead of any other club. It's tremendous pride and privilege for me to be Hajduk's player. I was so fortunate to have a debut in such a great club when I was only 18. I must reveal you something - before turning 18 I never laid a foot on the main pitch at Poljud. You can only imagine how delighted I was when coach Tonći Gabrić invited me to a first team practice, with Subašić and Tomić as first two keepers. We practiced on Poljud, in front of the empty stand, and I felt like being on a stadium packed full."
When did you make first appearance in the first team?
"On May 13, 2010, with Stanko Poklepović as the main coach. We beat Croatia Sesvete in Zagreb with 5-2. Only day before I found out I will start the match, but I slept calmly. I was full of faith, confidence and pride for becoming Hajduk's first goalkeeper. I am still trying to maintain that feeling."
After few borrows (GOŠK, Solin, Zmaj, Primorac), you started this season as the first goalkeeper! Are you satisfied with your career?
"Hajduk is the greatest club for me, and I am always satisfied when I'm here, even when not keeping. I was moved around, and it wasn't a problem for me, because I knew I will have my shot. I am hungry of proofing. Even this injury is something that is part of my job, and my path. I always stand back and return, because it's not important how many times you felt, but how many time you rose up. As far as my fellow goalkeepers are concerned, Kalinić is now member of the national team, Grbić and Ranilović are excellent, and we all have great relations, but I also have faith in me, I know I will proove myself in Hajduk."
What is Hajduk of your dreams?
"Just like any other fan, I dream of strong, European Hajduk, and I'm confident that's exactly what will happen!"
