Marko Stamenic
Konstantin Dörner, FCK.DK

Stamenic: I learned a lot at HB Køge

14/07 2022 14:41

F.C. Copenhagen youngster Marko Stamenic is back at the club following his successful loan spell at HB Køge last season.

Stamenic joined the FCK Talent Department as an 18-year-old in the summer of 2020.

And the New Zealander spoke to FCK.dk for our latest club podcast on his experiences in Denmark so far, and his frustration at his country not qualifying for the World Cup.

"I'm really happy to be back in Copenhagen and back with the team," said Stamenic during Wednesday's photo session, where he again was handed shirt no 35.

"It's great for me to be back again and I feel comfortable and ready. I'm really looking forward to it.

"I definitely took a step or two in the right direction at HB Køge. I have become a more mature player, and it was also very important for me to play 90 minutes every week at a high level. I achieved that, and I'm sure I can use everything I've learned in the last year here at FCK."

Asked about having ex-FCK star Lars Jacobsen as an assistant coach at Køge, Stamenic said: "Yeah, he's a good guy and he's funny too, plus he's a good coach. He's also good to talk to one-to-one and generally just a nice guy that I've learned a lot of."

Marko Stamenic
Marko Stamenic på træningsbanen i Holland. Foto: Torkil Fosdal, FCK.DK

As for his international experiences, Stamenic hopes there is more to come with New Zealand, despite the team missing out on World Cup qualification to the hands of Costa Rica.

"It was really a big disappointment just to be 90 minutes from my first World Cup final with New Zealand. We haven't been there since 2010, so that would have been great," he said.

"But we have a young national squad that is constantly evolving, so we will hopefully get two or three more attempts to get to a World Cup, and I hope to be a part of that too. I think there is promise for the future, but yes, it was disappointing."

Stamenic has played in three of FCK's pre-season games this summer. He earned 45 minutes against Silkeborg as a central defender, and 45 minutes and 60 minutes respectively against Feyenoord and Club Brugge is him more familiar midfield role.