Olimpija’s youth team can boast an excellent autumn performance this season. After 17 matches, the young Dragons, with only one defeat, are just two points behind the leading Bravo team in the EON NextGen league. Olimpija is undefeated since the 4th round, a streak that includes 7 consecutive wins. The team’s top scorer is Žiga Pečjak with eleven goals. In the 17th round, the youth team easily defeated Krka from Novo Mesto 4-0, finishing the autumn part of the season in third place in the standings. After the match, the coach of the U19 team, Jasmin Jerič, who took over the team in the summer, took time for club media obligations.
How do you assess the team’s progress since you took over about half a year ago?
The team has made great strides during this time, both in terms of play and mentality. We have managed to connect the boys into a very homogeneous unit that understands what we want to achieve within different game situations, knows how to control the tempo, and maintains a high level of professionalism. Progress is visible in daily work, and that is what makes us happiest.
Olimpija is just below the top and is recording excellent results. How do you comment on the first half of this year’s EON NextGen league?
The first part of the season was very demanding, but also very successful. I am very proud of the series of results and, above all, of the way the boys react to different competitive situations. We remain humble, focused, and eager to improve. This is the way that has brought us here.
We have seen quite a few boys from the youth selection in training and in the first team squad this season. How do you see their transition to professional football?
This transition must be well thought out, well communicated, and gradual. The boys who are involved in the first team process show that they have talent and the right mentality. The club offers them a very good environment for development, and I believe that there will be even more opportunities in the coming months for them to take the next step.
The team is heavily involved in the fight for the championship title. What do you need to do in the second part to win the youth crown?
We must remain focused, healthy, and above all, hungry for progress. Championships are won with a long-term approach, with daily work, quality training, and a stable mentality in difficult moments. It will be necessary to maintain our standard of play and quality of relationships so that we can be very competitive in the spring part as well.
