Ligue 2: the Chambly striker who dreams of the Euro

There is a scent start of the European Championship these days in Chambly.

Scents that, since October 8, have given a smile to Vlatko Stojanovski, 23 years old.

That evening, North Macedonia beat Kosovo (2-1) in the semi-finals of the Euro 2020 play-offs.

Even if he did not come into play in front of the public of the Philip II Arena, the striker loaned by Nîmes (Ligue 1) without the option to buy is only one match away with his selection of a qualification for the European Championship, postponed to summer 2021 due to the health crisis.

"The Euro is a dream for any footballer", launches the center forward who has 4 capes and whose face lights up at the evocation of the European high mass.

Everything will be played on November 12 in Tbilisi, on the occasion of the play-off final against Georgia.

Ninety minutes that could allow Stojanovski and North Macedonia to join the Netherlands, Ukraine and Austria in Group D of the European Championship.

"It would be historic," smiles the native of Deltchevo, in the east of the country, near the border with Bulgaria.

It's never happened before and it's happening now.

We may not have this chance later, we must seize it "

A great prospect for the player, who came to Chambly to gain playing time and revive.

The first of three years of his contract with Nîmes was not what he hoped for.

“I played little in 2019-2020,” he says.

Six matches only, including only one as the holder.

“And no goal scored in Ligue 1.

His little breath of fresh air came from the Coupe de la Ligue, with two starts in the round of 16 against Lens (3-0) then in the next round during the defeat (1-2) against Saint-Etienne, and especially one goal scored in each of the two games, including a penalty against RCL.

Not enough for his taste.

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“Ligue 1 is a higher level than in North Macedonia,” says Vlatko Stojanovski.

It takes time for me to adapt.

I hope it will be good for next season.

I didn't want to stay in Nîmes just to get a salary.

I am young, I need to play now.

And to find the way of the nets.

"I love to score, even in training, smiles the one who evolved as a young right winger for a year or two before moving to number 9. If I don't score, I'm not happy…"

He should therefore be very happy in 2018-2019 with the club Renova.

Returning to his country after a year and a half in Croatia (RNK Split, Neretvanac, Dugopolje) after six seasons in North Macedonia at Metalurg Skopje, he then scored 18 goals with Renova and finished top scorer in the Macedonian 1st division.

His entry ticket to Nîmes.

And even if it does not manage to take off with the Crocodiles, it is in the Gard that it takes off internationally among seniors.

On November 16, 2019, he played his very first match with the Macedonian shirt on his shoulders.

A defeat in Vienna against Austria (2-1) during the Euro qualifiers, of course, but a match on which he leaves his mark.

Entered into play in the 13th minute after Trajkovski's injury, Vlatko Stojanovski, number 18 in the back, saves the honor for his country in added time (90th + 3).

“The cross arrives, I jump, I put the head, remembers the Chambly striker.

It was an awesome feeling!

Previously, I had had two situations.

One from the left, one from the head.

But the Austrian goalkeeper had two good reflexes and saved his team.

This first selection, it was an incredible feeling, everyone called me after, my family, my friends.

I'll never forget.

"