Since 2000, when he wore the national sport jersey as a cadet, to the duel with the Czech Republic in which he officially announced his retirement from the national team, Filip Mirkulovski has played 147 senior games with 375 goals, 23 junior and 13 cadet games for Macedonia.
As a feisty player who is willing to sacrifice and capable of playing both ways, he became one of the pillars of the national team and a player without whom there would not have been such results. On Wednesday he said goodbye to the national team and from that moment on, nothing will ever be as it was in the national team.
We let him sleep on it to settle his emotions and asked him to once again comb through the last decade and a half of the national handball team.
T: Can you describe how you feel now, after the whole thing slowly settled down and you can peacefully gather your emotions and thoughts?
-The feelings are mixed. I am happy and sad at the same time. It's hard to describe. I am maybe not even aware of it yet. I am happy because I am saying goodbye with success, with placement at World Championship. It was a close call, these duels with the Czech Republic could have been much different. But, it ended just the way we wanted. I know it is not going to be easy next time I watch the national team fight for placement at the World Championship. But I think I gave my best for the team, now it is time for some new guys. I wish them good health, good luck and plenty of success.
T: A story that has lasted for a decade and a half has ended. No one could stay so detached…
-I will have to admit that I feel sad too because my story in the national team has ended. I have gone through a lot over the 16 years along with my teammates in the national team. There are moments I will never forget. Some are happy, some are sad, but now, when I look back, it was worth it.
T: We'll definitely be happy if we see you in some game as additional support for the national team, is there any chance for such thing?
-My decision is final. There is no such thing as a good moment for retirement from the national team. It would always be sad, there can always be more and more, but this is it. I have to consider my health too, it has become too exhausting, and if I cannot give my best, I think it is fair to withdraw and give my place to someone who can do that.
T: You said it yourself that throughout these sixteen years there were a lot moments that you could not forget. Can you pick one at the top of your head that is your favorite?
-I will never forget the performance on European Championship (EC) Serbia. The euphoria, the atmosphere that was made in Nis and Belgrade. The support we got nation-wide, could have been in a way even tangible. After that in Skopje, on the town square. The result, fifth place, it is not a medal, but all those people that came... I admire them, they made it worth more than a medal.
T: What moment is the dark side of the story?
-The last qualifications for the Olympics are the complete opposite of what I previously said. We all wanted to go to Rio, but… I don't know. It is what it is and it cannot be easily erased. Maybe it won't ever be erased. The unfulfilled dream to play at the Olympics is something I regret.
T: Do you think that you are leaving a generation behind that can continue at the same level?
-Filip Kuzmanovski has already played one EC, Taleski has been with us for 2 years. There are a lot of other great guys in the generation to come. Certainly there are some players that I do not know at all or do not know very well. Still, I have been away from Macedonia for two years. But, I know that there are good players. We managed to leave them with a performance on one World Championship. That way, they will not have to be stuck in qualifications like we were. That took a toll on us, we became players who chased scores at the age 27-28 years old. I hope that it will happen earlier for the new guys. They are starting with France, I hope they keep their continuity.
T: The young ones would certainly want to hear a personal recommendation from you about what they should do on the long way to success. Something that can be their reality, not just something they want to hear.
-It won't be easy for them. Behind these curtains, the euphoria, filled halls, performances on World Championship and European Championship, many more things are hiding. A lot more work, more training sessions, a lot of renunciation.
When I started, I didn't have extra talent or extra physical capabilities. But, everything can be achieved with a lot of work and it takes a lot of renunciation. I never saved myself and I played every match like it was my last. I had renounced from a lot of things, especially when I was young. From lots of nights out, parties, and lots of other things that my peers were doing while I was focused on training. But, that is what I chose to do and I can recommend to the young ones that it pays off. If I could go back, I would do the same thing all over again, without doubting if I am doing the right thing.