BATE Borisov manager Viktor Goncharenko spoke to the club’s official website about his thoughts on drawing Vardar in the Champions League qualifications.

Viktor Goncharenko mentioned that BATE Borisov wanted to avoid Israeli club Ironi Kiryat Shmona, the new club of Darko Tasevski, from the potential list of opponents.  He had no preference amongst the other teams, and feels his team has an advantage in that the Belarusian season is still being played. 

When asked about drawing Vardar, Goncharenko said, “I first thought of Makedonija Gjorche Petrov who we successfully played three years ago.  I think now we will be in the same hotel, same stadium and likely an opponent with a similar style.  Discipline, organization, character . . . We know that in the ranks of the club from Skopje are Serbians, Nigerians, Brazilian, the head coach is Ilcho Gjorgjioski who also managed Makedonija Gjorche Petrov in 2009.  We will now gather information through all means, internet, personal contacts and possibly send scouts to watch a Vardar game.”