BASEL/DEBRECEN/INNSBRUCK - Comments after Romania beat Czechia 29:28 and Montenegro beat Serbia 24:18 in group B, Switzerland beat the Faroe Islands 28:25 and Denmark beat Croatia 34:26 in group D, and the Netherlands beat Iceland 27:25 and Germany beat Ukraine 30:17 in group F on Friday.
Additional comments from France goalkeeper Hatadou Sako and right wing Pauline Coatanea (both FRA), Poland goalkeeper Adrianna Placzek and right back Monika Kobylinska (both POL), and Portugal right wing Patrícia Rodrigues (POR); Spain head coach Ambros Martin and goalkeeper Nicole Wiggins (both ESP) at media calls in Basel; and Sweden head coach Tomas Axnér, left back Tyra Axnér and right wing Clara Petersson Bergsten (all SWE), Hungary head coach Vlagyimir Golovin, centre back Petra Vamos and left wing Gréta Márton (all HUN), and North Macedonia head coach Kristijan Grchevski, left back Marija Jankulovska and goalkeeper Jovana Micevska (all MKD) at media calls in Debrecen on Friday.
MONTENEGRO 24:18 SERBIA
Suzana Lazovic (MNE) – head coach
On the team’s performance:
“We showed today how much we prepared for this match. We expected the tough match of course. You know that the first match of every championship is very hard. But our key point today was a defence and this is what we planned to do.
“Players respect everything but tonight we finish first step, and we need to think about the future, about the next match. This give us power that we can play against everyone, but everything depends on us.“
On how tough the match was:
“It was a tough match, I always tell this at a first match on championships that is so hard because of energy, because you come and everyone wait this first match for a long time and because we expect a tough match. We already showed Serbia gave us a good power. It’s good we succeeded, that we started the EHF EURO with the victory. Now we need to come step by step.”
Itana Grbic (MNE) – left wing
On the team’s performance:
“I’m so proud and happy. We prepared a lot for this game. We knew how important is to start with the victory, and I think the main thing was the defence.
“I was really just watching them really proud how they played and I must give a moment to Durdina Jaukovic because she really went through a lot in the past time and she is a true inspiration and a true warrior for all of us, and I’m so happy for her and for us of course.”
On her own performance:
“For me it’s just important that Montenegro has two points. As always, I just try to do my role as a playmaker, to play for the others and I know it will be better in the next games.”
Uros Bregar (SLO) – head coach, Serbia
On the performance of his team:
“Difficult to say after the loss. We came into the first half a little bit nervous, both teams. Montenegro took advantage, we came back, on the half we were three behind, but still in the second half we had our chance.
“We could play more from the start but we didn’t realise, then they took advantage, the lead, good chances, but it was a deserved Montenegro win today. We didn’t find solutions how to score.”
Andjela Janjusevic (SRB) – right back
On the match:
“It was a tough match, we gave our maximum to play the best we can. However, we missed a lot of shots and at the same time we did many mistakes. We did not function the best way, which resulted in defeat.”
DENMARK 34:26 CROATIA
Jesper Jensen (DEN) – head coach
On the game:
“We are very happy about the win. The way we controlled the match. We knew Croatia is going to be a tough opening match. The opening match in the European championship is always difficult. Many things can happen in these matches, and we wasn't able to retrieve the videos from Croatia’s last preliminary game, so all in all we are satisfied.
“We learnt from the first half. If we were being a little bit more cynical, maybe we could have been leaving by five or six. But again, we are a pretty new team put together for this championship, so we're also happy about the way we handled the break, and then came out strong in the second half.”
On what they talked about at half-time:
“We talked about the Croatian players and how they acted, how we react on that, who we would allow in which situations and all this. I think the players handled the situation and had a very, very strong match, so I'm a little bit proud of the team today.”
Kristina Jørgensen (DEN) – left back
On the key to the win:
“We kept on fighting, and I think all in the team who came on the court today did a really good job. It was a team performance, and I think we did good in both ends. It was a really good and tough game against Croatia. They come with a lot of fight also, so it was a really fun game to play.”
On the defence and saves of Anna Kristensen:
“We know if we get Anna good conditions, she will be crazy good like today. We are really happy about our two goalkeepers, both Althea (Reinhardt) and Anna. Today Anna did a really good performance. It's her first championship, so it's really cool of her and I'm really proud. It's nice for us also in the defence, because it gives us a lot of confidence that where we allow the shots, she will take.”
Anne Mette Hansen (DEN) - left back
On the win:
“I feel in the first half Croatia was also fresh and they gave everything they have. And that's why it's a 60-minute game and not only the first half game. We knew it will be difficult, so it was also for us just to have a good phase, like to come out from the first half with a good point of view.
“Then in the second half, we really have to put in 'the dagger in the heart', but I felt we stepped up through the whole game.”
On becoming Denmark's all-time top scorer at the European championship:
“I did not know at all I am close to that achievement. I just found out the news after the game. That's pretty crazy. It is an incredible feeling and I'm proud of it.”
On the next game against Switzerland:
“They can play without nerves, so they just can come in and enjoy the game. Hopefully, they will have a lot of fans also holding their backs. So for us, we have to be really focused. Otherwise, it will not be an easy game. However, I also believe if are strong and on our level then we will have a victory for sure.”
Ivica Obrvan (CRO) – head coach
On the game:
“We played against one of the best teams in the world and we played two different halves. The first half was really good and we can be satisfied but the second one was not so good as the first one.”
On the positive things he saw from his team:
“It's great that we have seen how to play against the greatest team — Denmark is one of the greatest teams. This will be a really good for us to prepare for the next two matches against Faroe Islands and Switzerland if we want to reach the second phase.”
Dejana Milosavljevic (CRO) – centre back
On the match:
“They were better today. We was fighting really good in the first half, but in the second half a little bit we went down. The goalkeeper (Anna Kristensen) saved a little bit maybe too much for us, the balls, and the differences is like this in the end.”
On the positives from the match:
“It was a positive to feel the competition, the championship. It's good to feel the atmosphere also of the hall. It was good. It was a good feeling. And I think the next game it will be just better and better.”
Katarina Pavlovic (CRO) - right back
On the defeat against Denmark:
“The second half was not as good as we have wanted it. We were fighting hard in the first half and were close behind, but we could not keep up with their rhythm later.”
On Anna Kristensen’s performance:
“Their goalkeeper was amazing. We did not score some easy shots that we were supposed to and she made it even harder for us. We wanted to play a good game and have a better result in the end.”
On the Croatian team:
“We have new players in the squad, a lot of them are young. Every player gave her best at this moment. We have to be much better in the next game and have more confidence in the attack.”
On the next game against the Faroe Islands:
“We should not underestimate them. I think we can play at a higher level and if we stick to our plan, I believe we can win.”
GERMANY 30:17 UKRAINE
Markus Gaugisch (GER) – head coach
On the opening match:
“First game is not so easy always. You have to feel the new arena, the atmosphere, you’re not so cool, and I think was consequent thing. We need to improve more, because with Netherlands on Sunday it’ll be a close match 50:50, and so I think it’s very very important that we take the good things and improve the better things.”
On what will be the key in the next match:
“We need to stop their fastbreak. When you see the Olympic Games, the Netherlands were the team with the best defence, percentage in fastbreak game. This is hard weapon and then you have to try to control Dione Housheer, one of the best players in the world I think. I like see her playing, but I hope on Sunday we can stop her.”
Lisa Antl (GER) – line player
On the clear victory:
“We have reached all our goals, we played fast, our defence stood strong after the break. As the start of every tournament is something special, we needed some time to find our rhythm, and you never know how Ukraine will play. But we took the upper hand quite quick, showed a strong performance.”
On her performance:
“I am very satisfied with my performance, but I only could score that many goals thanks to great passes of my teammates, for example Annika Lött, this fits perfectly.”
On the next match against the Netherlands:
“I hope we can show many good things again against the Netherlands. We need to carry the confidence, the fun and the good start into the next match. The last matches against them ended with two wins and two defeats, so it is a 50:50 situation.”
Alina Grijseels (GER) – centre back
On the win:
“We’re really happy we got these two points. I think it’s important to start good in the tournament, and I think we played a good match. Few things of course we can be better, but overall I’m satisfied with this.”
On the plan for the next match:
“First we want to win this game, but I think the Netherlands played really fast and we have to take care not to take easy goals and run back really fast because I think this is maybe the biggest strength if you can do this, I think we have a chance also to win, but I think it is a 50:50 game.”
Borys Chyzhov (UKR) – head coach
On the match:
“German team showed they are a top team, they played at Olympic Games and were eighth, but I am also happy with the spirit of our team, we showed that we can fight.”
On the advantage against Iceland:
“The main things will be to be calm and to have high spirit.”
Liliia Horilska (UKR) – line player
On the defeat in their first EHF EURO match since 2014:
“After 10 years without playing the EURO, we wanted to show another match, it was really hard for us. We need to analyse what happened today and get prepared for the next two matches. We definitely need to reduce the number of mistakes, then we will be better.”
On the crucial moments:
“We have a lot of young players, and they were under stress. In the beginning of the second half, we missed to score, then we made too many mistakes in defence. First, you have to have a stable defence, then you can score goals. We do everything to help the young players, but we need to work more. But we have chances to beat Iceland in the next match.”
Viktoriia Saltaniuk – goalkeeper (UKR)
On the match:
“I think that our game, our play was good in first half, but after the break, we made too many mistakes, but I think we need to do right conclusions for the future games and first of all, to make less mistakes.”
ROMANIA 29:28 CZECHIA
Florentin Pera (ROU) – head coach
On the victory against Czechia:
“The atmosphere was amazing, I want to thank our fans, because they coming and support us. I am very happy on this victory, it was a really good game for us, it was a great second half. Even if we didn’t start so good, we missed some good situations, but step by step we found a good way for us. We changed the system in defence, players who came in second half played good.
“I am really proud about my players, I am really proud about our fighting attitude and the atmosphere inside the team, energy and also I am happy because we have a very young team with a lot of player first time in European championship but I think today we showed like a family.”
On the next match against Montenegro:
“We have big confidence, it will not be an easy game, every game is tough. It’s one group where all the games are open for any results but I trust my players.
“If you play with the same energy, with the same attitude, if you play the same in defence more focused one by one, on goalkeeper, I think we have a good chance to win the next game. Every game is hard, Montenegro have players with big experience, but you saw in this game we have young team, we showed good handball.”
Bianca Bazaliu (ROU) – left back
On the win:
"I’m so proud of my team. I’m so proud of them and I want to congratulate all my team, I’m so proud of them."
On her personal performance:
"I’m happy because I could have helped the team and win points, and I’m so happy."
On what to improve:
"We have to be more concentrate on the court, when we are in front with the goalkeeper. We have to run. We have a lot of things to put on place step by step, but we’ll try to fix everything."
Bent Dahl (NOR) – head coach, Czechia
On what was missing at the end of the match:
"To score goals. Also in the second half we missed five clear chances from six metres. We played good systems, great what we wanted but at the end is about who to be short. You need to score goals, and we missed chances."
On what to improve in the next matches:
"We just need to continue to work on what we have started. For us to continue the defence and satisfy with the goalkeepers today, and our performance in defence so we just need to continue. We need to come over from this match and we have two more important matches, so in the end what was also important for us was to score the last goal so it was just one. This group will be very tight."
Charlotte Cholevová (CZE) – left back
On the end of the match:
“I think we were a little bit stressed in the end and they showed best play, and we were like, we don’t know what we do.”
SWITZERLAND 28:25 FAROE ISLANDS
Knut Ove Joa (NOR) – head coach, Switzerland
On the difference between the two halves:
“We lost a little bit of momentum and intensity in the game, starting to do a little bit more mistakes, technical fouls, and also missing big chances.
“The first half, also during the 10 first minutes in second half, we were in good control, I think, but then we were starting to invite them into the game. We have to learn from it. We have a young team, so of course, it's a good learning for us, but at the end, it's the most important thing is to win.”
On the strong start:
“A good start with a good defence. We made our defence tough and wanted to see if we can pressure them a little bit on getting more shots from the wings, instead of from the mid and then the game plan was working.
“We would like to score a little bit more goals in the first half. At the end, it's more that we have good solutions most of the time but then suddenly becomes a little bit challenging.”
Tabea Schmid (SUI) – line player
On the match:
“It was a little bit how we expected it to be. Of course, it was an amazing crowd — our fans but also the Faroese fans. A great atmosphere.
“We started really well, especially in defence. I think the defence was the key of our success in the whole game.
“In the second half, we had a bit of trouble, also with them changing their system to 5-1, and it was a bit a tough period. But we could always rely on our defence and I'm really proud of the team, that we could do that. It was our big goal.”
On what she was thinking in the final minutes:
“I don't think I was thinking a lot. I was just running, defending and hoping.”
Daphné Gautschi (SUI) - left back
On their maiden win at the EHF EURO:
“I can't describe it [the feeling]. It's a dream come true. It's already a dream to play at home in front of this public, in front of our families and loved ones. It's so hard to describe because it was a hard game. And in the end we had to really, really much to fight.
“I'm just so happy and now the future will be bright, I think, because I think we were really nervous before this first game, which was so important, and now we will see how it will go.”
On the atmosphere:
“It took a lot of time to make the first goal. It was a little bit too much for everybody. Before the game, we were stressing. But in the end, we made it together and I think this is what this team is, like we stick together until the end.”
On the Faroese comeback:
“At one point we got a little bit afraid because we were so good all this game all along and in the end we were like, oh no, oh, we could win. We started to realise what is going on on the scoreboard. In the end the most important is that we have to two points.”
On the next game against Denmark:
“They are really, really good and a handball country. I'm excited to play this game, but it will be hard. We will give our best and in the end we will look up and see what is the result here.”
Claus Leth Mogensen (DEN) – head coach, Faroe Islands
On the match:
“We started really bad in the first half. It was our debut at a big tournament like this and the nervousness was under our skin a bit too long. That more or less killed the match for us, even though we got close at the end.
“The last 20 minutes we played like we play in training, like we play when we play every other national team match, so it's really frustrating. We are really disappointed that it took so long to find it, but these are young players. They never tried anything like this, so it's understandable, but still disappointing.”
On what he spoke about in timeouts and at half-time:
“I was trying to release them. Trying to get them calm. Try to be focused because they were not playing like I'm used to. We just see there were too many thoughts and not the right thoughts. To focus on the plan and go in, show how good handball players they are.
“It's not more difficult than that, but it's just four or five thousand spectators. But it's a handball match like every other and it was a level they were good enough to participate in, so they should go and show what they can do and they did that at the end.”
Pernille Brandenborg (FAR) – line player
On what changed in the second half for them to come back:
“I think we kind of just let loose. We lost a bit ourselves the first almost 45 minutes. It's our mistakes that they run down and make some fast goals against. Actually, I think when we stand against them in the defence, it's really good. When we started to loosen up and play the ball a bit more fast and also do the fast breaks, then we got into the game. It was just a bit too late.”
On it being the Faroe Islands’ first match at a major championship:
“I'm very touched right now, especially because of the fans. So many people travelled here to cheer for us. Now I also get a bit emotional. That was really nice to see and I'm really proud of the girls. It's a young group and we got a lot of girls who did really well in the end.
“Of course we were nervous, and there was a lot of that. I'm sad that the game was not, like, five or 10 minutes longer because then I thought we will actually maybe win. We will learn a lot from it and then there’s a new game in two days.”
Rakul Wardum (FAR) - goalkeeper
On the defeat against Switzerland:
“We tried our best, but the play in the first half costed us the result in the second half.”
On her good performance:
“I think we ride on each other's energy. When one takes the ball or scores a goal, the whole team is behind her and then we just ride on that. Especially in the second half.”
On playing the first game at the Women's EHF EURO:
“The feelings are a bit divided not. On one hand we lost, but on the other hand it's amazing because we never tried something like this before. We were so close, but yet, so far.”
On their fans in the stands:
“We were very emotional. Almost the whole team had tears in their eyes after looking up to all the parents and all the supporters we have here. We heard them the whole game, so I think also that stuff was the atmosphere that gave us energy.”
NETHERLANDS 27:25 ICELAND
Henrik Signell (SWE) – head coach, Netherlands
On the narrow win against Iceland:
“They did a good match, especially their goalkeepers. I think we created a lot of chances in the attack, almost the whole match. To play the first match, to be quite clear favourites is always difficult, but we are playing about points and we got both, so I am happy.”
On what he said to his team in the locker room at half-time:
“We reminded ourselves and our tactic, what we decided from the beginning and we made it even more clear, especially in defence. And I think it got good result.”
Angela Malestein (NED) – right wing
On the tight match:
“We knew Iceland and had many respect for them. Besides, the first match at a tournament is also something special. But finally, we took two points, this is what we wanted. The final result does not reflect the way we played, we were better.”
On the Dutch problems in this match:
“From the tactical point of view, we played well, but we failed too often in attack, making Iceland’s goalkeeper become the MVP of the match, and she definitely deserved this award.”
On the upcoming match against Germany:
“This match will be a pure fight, everybody from the Netherlands and from Germany knows about the significance of this match. Both sides will give all they have, let’s see, which team will get the victory.”
Larissa Nüsser (NED) – centre back
On the nervous start to the game:
“It’s always hard to start a tournament, you have to get in the tournament, and I think we used the first half maybe for that, and of course in the second half we got a little different, and then we missed some shots and let them come back in the game. We made it hard for ourselves today, but of course, Iceland did good, and they made it us fight hard.”
On learnings for the next match:
“We have to score more in open chances and we have to use it and score more goals.”
Arnar Pétursson (ISL) – head coach
On his emotions:
“Of course I am disappointed, you are always disappointed when you lose. We lost by only two goals. But I am happy with the performance, how we played the game in defence and how we controlled our game very well. We really did a great job in defence. At lunch break maybe, it would have been happy with a result like this, now I am not.”
On the next match, against Ukraine:
“It is another game in which we have to play at the same level as today, give the same effort like today. We always have to give everything. We will have to show on Sunday that we can do it again, then we have a chance.”
On the performance of goalkeeper Elin Jona Thorsteinsdottir:
“She played very well behind a great defence, I am very happy on her performance.”
Perla Albertsdóttir (ISL) – left wing
On the loss:
“This match was very close. I thought the whole game that we were going to win. There were too many lost points on our side in the second half. They are too good team, you can’t play like that and win.”
Elin Jona Thorsteinsdottir (ISL) – goalkeeper
On her emotions:
“I really have bittersweet emotions after this match. We are already where we want to be, and we are closer to those top teams everybody had believed. We showed we can play on this level against top teams. This is a good feeling for us, but we could have had one or two points now. They had more power than us in the end.”
On the keys to their performance:
“Our defence was really great. And therefore, I could save so many shots, as they came exactly there, where I wanted them to be. When our defence plays like today, I can do my best. And we managed to stop their counter-attacks. When they had to shoot from the distance, we knew what to do.”
On the next match, against Ukraine:
“I don’t think that we underestimate them, as usually we are the underdogs and we are underestimated. It is our first EURO in the last 12, we are a small team. But we will come with 100 percent power. “
On the chance to win Iceland’s very first point at EHF EURO events:
“We are so close I really hope that we give it all on Sunday and get the first point for Iceland, this would make me and whole Iceland very, very proud.”
FRANCE
Hatadou Sako (FRA) – goalkeeper
On the main takeaways from the first game:
“It was a great match for us. We really wanted to start good, to defend good, because our first thing when we play a match is to defend very good. I think this is what we did yesterday during the match and we are a very happy about this kind of start. We hope that it will continue like this, but we will continue to keep working like this and we hope that we will go into the main round with as much points as possible.”
On what to improve:
“Everything was not perfect. We had some ups and downs during the match and we know that some teams have key players and we have to control them during one hour. Yesterday it was like sometimes we were here but sometimes we were not there. But we have to improve in this way. It can be much better in defence, I think. We can improve in this part of the game.”
On France having worked on doing more fast counter attacks:
“This is what we really want to keep. We have some wings who are very, very, very fast, who feel the game, who have a very good feeling to go very fast in offence. I think this is our big point and we have to continue in this way, because this is some ‘easy’ goals, so we have to continue with this kind of goals.
“We have to score, because it's not an easy thing. But we have to continue to play very fast because we know that we are very fast. We have some players who are very, very fast and we are able to play one hour like this.”
On the next match, against Spain:
“It will be a tough match, for sure. We played against them during the preparation, and we lost. I think we open one door for the opponents to think that they can win against the French national team, so now we just have to close this door.
“We have to come very strong in defence, in offence. We know that they have players who really like to take the space. They have one player who is very strong — (Danilo) So Delgado. She's very strong, she’s very fast and it can be difficult for us in defence, but we will try to find some good tactic in defence to do some opposition against their offence.
“We are focused. We have a lot of confidence. We don't want to do a second match like we did during the preparation. We are very excited to play this match.”
Pauline Coatanea (FRA) – right wing
On the strong start to the EURO:
“It's really good to start like this, because during the preparation, it was hard games. So now, when we start, we show that we are a great team and find some like relationship between each other. It was really good because it's not easy to play this first game against Poland.
“Now we just have to continue in this way. Our defence was really good and the fast breaks also. This is really a strong force for the team.”
On the confidence from such an opening win:
“It's good because everybody can play yesterday, so it's good for the confidence for everybody. So, this is very important and we are proud of this, because the last competition was not the same. We really enjoyed yesterday, so it's nice.”
On Spain, the round 2 opponents:
“Last week, we played against them, and it was hard and tough. We know that they have good line players and it’s a really good team. Their name ‘Guerreras’ — we know that it will be a good, a big fight. France against Spain, it's every time hard.
“We will have to do a good preparation, because there are some new players. But it's good that we played against them last week to really know better the players.”
On the key to Spain winning the preparation match:
“The key, for sure, it was their line players. They are really strong. Big. This was hard. And also they play with continuity. We have to break this and don't play the same. But it will not be the same game.”
SWEDEN
Tomas Axnér (SWE) – head coach
On areas Sweden can improve after the opening match:
"I think we can improve in our quality in the attack and in the counter-attacking game. I think we had a good defensive game yesterday. We closed Macedonian attack in many situations and provoked them to make a lot of technical mistakes. But we were sloppy in our counter attacks and we have to improve, if we want to beat Hungary."
On the expectations ahead of the match against Hungary:
"We know that they are a strong team and we know that they have some excellent players and a very attack. We have a lot of respect for Hungary, but we also know that they play on their home soil and they will have pressure that they have to go to the semi-finals. We have been there many times and can deal with this pressure.
“So we feel a little bit like, even though we are maybe a little bit higher in the rankings, we feel like underdogs and we see possibilities and know that they also have a pressure on them."
Tyra Axnér (SWE) – left back
On the match against Hungary:
"Hungary is a really good team. They have a good team spirit, but also individually really experienced players and I play with them. I have two of them in my team (Metz Handball) and I think the atmosphere will also be amazing. Also, maybe they will either feel a little bit pressure or they will be really motivated, but I think the game will be intense and exciting.
“We have to focus on ourselves. We have to be patient in our attack, but also focus on our defence. They have really good individual players with a lot of skills, but we also have that. What we know is that the last games against them have been really intense in that way that they have been even very close into the end."
Clara Petersson Bergsten (SWE) – right wing
On the opening win against North Macedonia:
"We did a lot of good things, but also some parts that we have to be better at and I hope that it's going to be a good game against Hungary as well."
On sharing playing time with Nathalie Hagman:
"She's an amazing handball player and an experienced one, and I see a lot of things that I can learn from and I think it's very nice."
On playing in front of many Hungarian fans on Saturday:
“I think that it will motivate us. It's going to be a lot of people and a lot of sounds but I think that we will be able to sort it out."
POLAND
Adrianna Placzek (POL) – goalkeeper
On the feeling today following the opening match:
“Yesterday was a very tough game, but today we start to focus on another game, because we don't have so much time to think about yesterday. We have also two games in front of us and we need to be focused for the next matches, which are really important for us.”
On the main takeaways from the first match:
“We need to start totally different this game, because yesterday we started so bad and we did some mistakes. When you play against a team like France, you need to play really almost perfectly, because they use all our mistakes. We started with like seven counter attacks in this game. We need to be thinking about this and I hope tomorrow will start the game totally different.”
On their next opponents, Portugal:
“I watched yesterday, after the game, this game Portugal against Spain. I think they're similar like the Spain team. They have nice players who can shoot from the long distance and I think it's going to be really fighting for both sides.”
Monika Kobylinska (POL) – right back
On recovering from the opening match:
“Now it's the most important to focus on the next game. We, of course, knew that it will be a tough game for us, the first one. And we also know that now these two other ones are the most important for us.
“So today we focus a little bit also on the recovery and body and mental health and everything. And of course, this is also the day for us to prepare exactly how we want to play the game tomorrow.”
On the positives to take from the first game:
“We had some good moments but from the beginning, we did too many mistakes and France is so good a team that and they are running so fast, so they are using these moments. They showed yesterday that if you have five minutes with maybe not 100 per cent, then they will use it.
“In the defence, in some moments, when they didn't have the counter attacks, then we were working much better. We have to take it and learn also to don't make these easy mistakes for the next game, because then it's also much harder to play.”
On Portugal:
“They showed yesterday that they are a good team now and that they really know how to play handball. It's also really nice to see that all the teams now are really fighting and it doesn't matter against who are you playing, you need to be 100 per cent ready. It will be also tough game for us, and we need to step up from yesterday and do our job.”
HUNGARY
Vlagyimir Golovin (HUN) – head coach
On the match against Sweden:
"It's difficult to predict what will decide the match, but it will be a really important game for us. In terms of results, we cannot predict, but we want to win, especially on home court.
“In the past year, we've played three games against Sweden. We lost last year at the world championships, then we won at the Olympics qualification tournament and we had a draw with them at the Olympic Games in regular time, so you cannot predict what will happen. One thing is for sure is that we know almost everything about Sweden and Sweden knows almost everything about us."
On whether the Hungarians are aiming for revenge:
"Last year at the world championships, Sweden played in front of 11,000 home fans, it was really difficult for us, but even though we had eight or 10 minutes that we played pretty well and we also had the lead , so obviously want to take revenge for that as well. And we are counting on our home crowd and on the support that we get from them. We have to focus on our game and eliminate our errors though."
Petra Vamos (HUN) - centre back
On their expectations ahead of the match against Sweden:
"I think the win against Sweden back in April in the Olympics qualification tournament will give us a lot of energy and motivation that we can play a good match against them, if we are focused and if we play our system for 60 minutes.
“Plus I think that our team has developed a lot in defence and it means a lot for us that we have played together in the last few years. We know each other and we can learn from each other at the same time. I'm curious how this match will go for us."
On the loss to Sweden in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games quarter-finals:
"It was a really disappointing moment for us. We were only 17 seconds away from the semi-final. And they scored in the last – almost in the last seconds – and then we lost in extra time. It was a really hard moment for us, but I think that now we see this match as an opportunity and we don't care about what happened in the past. This one match can affect the whole tournament.
“So we know that we have to be really tough in defence and dominate the whole match if we want to win. I'm really looking forward to play against Sweden because I think this match will show how strong they are."
On playing again in the Fönix Arena in Debrecen:
"It is really good to be back here as I played five years here in Debrecen. I know the arena. I know the staff, the city as well. My family will come to the matches and support me too. This is emotional for me and for the team. And I know that the arena will be full tomorrow. I hope that the supporters will give us more energy."
Gréta Márton (HUN) – left wing
On the match against Sweden:
"We know that this is going to be the hardest game in the group and we are expecting a really hard and tough game because both teams are here to win the group and of course, this game. As individuals, the Swedish players are really, really good, but as a team they can make also good things both in attack and in defence, and we are expecting a really running game. We have to run a lot, but we will try to stop them as good as possible, and I think in attack we have to be a little bit patient."
On the atmosphere in the Fönix Arena:
"We heard that this is going to be a full house in the arena and the Hungarians are coming here to support us, so it motivates us a lot. It's a lot. So we are really looking forward to play on Saturday and this is going to be the best game in the group."
PORTUGAL
Patrícia Rodrigues (POR) – right wing
On how they are feeling on Friday:
“Today's a new day and we need to start working for the next game, to try to win against Poland or to try to make a better game than we made against Spain. Not so [many] technical faults. Today we are starting working to be focused to these games. Let's see how it will be.”
On the first game against Spain:
“For the first game, I think it was good. We played good. We showed that we are better, we are growing up, we are in a good way. So we are trying to, after the game, thinking what we did wrong, what we can do better.
“This is the first game after so many years to come back again. Maybe we were a bit anxious in the timing. Mistakes, we do it maybe because we are anxious. The experience that Spain has — maybe this was the difference between us.”
On the positive takeaways from match one:
“We are proud of what we made yesterday because most of the time we were winning and then they were tied, they were in front, but we were always thinking, ‘This is possible. We could win’. That's the most important thing for us — that we keep working and be focused, because most, we need to be proud of us. This is the most important thing.”
On the next game, against Poland:
“Poland has also experience as Spain has, but we will try maybe to be more attention to details. Maybe this can be the difference between Spain and Poland, and we will try to make this difference — details, to be positive and not negative.
“We are really focused and we believe in us, in our work. And I really, really think that it's possible to win against Poland. We'll make everything to win the game.”
SPAIN
Ambros Martin (ESP) – head coach
On the first match:
“It was somehow like we expected, meaning that Portugal and us were playing more or less the same style of handball. And also about to control the nerves of our young players.
“At the beginning especially of the match and before the match, they were really nervous, but when the match was going, I think we calmed down a bit more and then we stayed more concentrated, and we could make it. It was tough but we made it at the end.”
On what he would like to improve:
“To play more calm and to play more fluently in offence. I think the defence was really good the full match, but when we have the ball in our hand was much more difficult to play the things that that we were working before and talking about this match before.
“I think it was because of that, because we were too much thinking or not focusing exactly on the match — it was too many emotions around. And probably didn't let us to play as we want it and as we can do.”
On the upcoming game against France:
“Yesterday France played like they like to play — really fast, with the good and tough defence and then fast break and fast counter attacks. And if they are able to do it, then they will play really comfortable.
“The question for us will be probably not be the same than before, in the previous tournament that we play in France. It will be harder probably, because after yesterday’s match, they got the confidence again. But we need to be more precise in our offence. Don't let them come fast in their contact.”
Nicole Wiggins (ESP) – goalkeeper
On how the team are feeling on Friday:
“To be honest, a little bit sleepy because today we slept so much. They gave us more free time to rest and recover because our coach and us also felt like yesterday was a difficult game because it's the first. In the first game you always have nerves, you know, that make you make some stupid mistakes and always it's difficult the first game.
“To start this competition, for me it’s the most difficult, because normally, for example, in a world championship, you have more days to rest between games. And for example, you can play against countries which don't have this handball culture and maybe you can win more easily.
“From a European championship, it’s a really difficult competition, so start with a win, with good feelings, it's really important. The team have more confidence that I think is going to be really important to face the next games.”
On the next match, against France:
“I'm still nervous, because we just played one tournament against them, with a great victory. But I have the feeling that it’s not real — France always is a team who always go from less to more. I think tomorrow is going to be a game with more speed. They're going to fight more, they're going to be more strong, more aggressive, and we need to be ready to adapt to all these changes that they’re going to do.
“Before they didn't know us, so now they can study us and prepare in a different way. And I think it's going to be really, really difficult game, so I think we need to push a little bit more and give a little bit more if we want to get another victory.”
NORTH MACEDONIA
Kristijan Grchevski (MKD) – head coach
On the defeat to Sweden:
"I definitely think that we could have done better, but at the same time we could have done worse too. We had some great moments and ultimately, I believe our inexperience decided the final outcome. We had a difficult period in which we couldn't score a goal.
“But on the positive side, we had some good moments both in defence and attack and we showed that we can play against a team like Sweden are."
On the expectations ahead of the match against Türkiye:
"We are definitely going for the win and I believe that we have strong chances to come off victorious from the match, but everything depends on us, meaning, we should believe in that as a squad that we can do it. And hopefully, if we display good performance and show great fight, we can make our Macedonian fans happy."
On the atmosphere in the squad:
"In the end of the second half, we played really good where we felt a bit relaxed in terms of nerves and that brings us confidence ahead of the next match, which brings positivity within the group. Finally, we will definitely bring our positive energy to the match against Türkiye and we will try to win."
Marija Jankulovska (MKD) – left back
On the match against Sweden:
"Sweden are a great team and we have young players in our team and for us this is a great opportunity to represent ourselves. This championship is a dream come true for us and it was good to play against Sweden because there are some players that play in EHF Champions League and it was our dream to play against players like them."
On the expectations ahead of the match against Türkiye:
"That match against Türkiye is a key one for us and we are preparing well for them. I hope that we will play better against them and I hope we will win.”
On where the Macedonians can get better:
"We can improve our discipline and I think we have a chance to win and we should narrow down the mistakes we make, but I think improving our discipline should be our main focus."
Jovana Micevska (MKD) – goalkeeper
On making 11 saves against Sweden:
"I'm not completely satisfied and I think that I could have done better and made more saves, but more importantly, we didn't win the match and one can't be happy about that."
On facing shots from Nathalie Hagman:
"It was really a pleasure to play against her as she is one of the best wings in world's handball and of course, it's a valuable experience for me that I will definitely savour and use it to improve myself as a goalkeeper.”
On the match against Türkiye:
"During our preparations, we've put our main focus on Türkiye and I believe that we are ready to give our best and leave our hearts on the court to get the win. We will play until the final minute and if we win, everything will be easier for us in terms of confidence and getting ready for the final match against Hungary."
TEXT:
European Handball Federation