DEBRECEN/BASEL/INNSBRUCK - Comments from players and coaches after Montenegro beat Romania 27:25 and Czechia beat Serbia 27:24 in group B; Croatia drew 17:17 with the Faroe Islands and Denmark beat Switzerland 35:30 in group D; and the Netherlands beat Germany 29:22 and Iceland beat Ukraine 27:24 in group F on Sunday.
Additional comments from Sweden head coach Tomas Axnér and right wing Nathalie Hagman (both SWE) and Hungary head coach Vlagyimir Golovin and right back Katrin Klujber (both HUN) at media calls in Debrecen; and France head coach Sebastien Gardillou and line player Pauletta Foppa (both FRA), and Poland head coach Arne Senstad (NOR) and right back Aleksandra Zych (POL) and Spain head coach Ambros Martin and right wing Paula Agullò (both ESP) at media calls in Basel; and Slovenia left backs Tjaša Stanko and Ivona Barukcic (both SLO) at a media call in Innsbruck on Sunday.
SERBIA 24:27 CZECHIA
Uros Bregar (SLO) – head coach, Serbia
On the loss against Czechia:
“It’s difficult to find good thoughts, but you know, we were inside, we came back after the first half into the lead, some advantages, some not so smart mistakes and the Czechs used it and they changed the match, and at the end we lost with three.”
On what was missing at the end:
“It’s difficult to say, because we were prepared on (Markéta) Jerábková, she scored the last goals. We didn’t go out. In the last 10 minutes, maybe some experience was missing but we learned a lot today.”
Jovana Jovovic (SRB) – left back
On the loss against Czechia:
“I’m disappointed, and now it’s hard to say anything. I think I didn’t help my team today as I should have maybe, I missed a lot, and no, I’m just disappointed and sad, because I think we deserved to win today, but we didn’t.”
On what was missing in the match:
“We missed a lot, like the goalkeeper had I don’t know how many saves, but around 50 per cent already in the first half. We had a lot of situations to score and we couldn’t.
“I don’t know, I think that’s all we missed because we were fighting until the end and I’m proud on my girls, but I’m really disappointed, as I said, about myself first of all.”
Bent Dahl (NOR) – head coach, Czechia
On the match against Serbia:
“It was so tough. We know it, before the game start, that the style of Serbia is not easy to play against. It’s hard to describe, but the emotion afterwards when we win the game and when we also have plus three is a bonus, so yeah, I am so happy about it.”
On the key for the victory:
“Today we were a little bit lucky I think. Sometimes you need luck also. Last match we didn’t have it and today it was our turn so I think that was the margins, because on 24:24 it can go both ways, but that’s handball.”
Markéta Jeřábková (CZE) – centre back
On her feelings after the win:
“I can just honestly say that it’s just kind of relaxing, because after first game that we perform quite OK, first 15 minutes, and then we just lost ourselves and we just really wanted to be focused for this game and you know, just to go on and take two points.”
ICELAND 27:24 UKRAINE
Arnar Pétursson (ISL) – head coach
On the win against Ukraine:
“The first half we played very well, I have to say that. We were playing very well in the defence, and of course our goalkeeper was strong and almost everything happened what we wanted to happen in the first half.
“We had problems for a few minutes with seven against six, but we got through that. The second half was a little bit more difficult, we knew that we were not far away from our first win, and you can feel that we got a little bit more stressed, so at the end I’m really happy that we finished the game like we did, and we have the first victory within our history book”
On the recipe for the next match against Germany:
“It’s Germany, what can I say. It’s going to be a tough game, we’ll play against one of the best team in the world. I would say that they are part of the elite seven, eight teams. We have of course looked at the three, four games now, and we analysed the game against the Netherlands tonight.
“It’s going to be a difficult game, but we’re going to enjoy this tonight and tomorrow we start to prepare for the game on Tuesday, and we will see what happens. It’s going to be a difficult game, we know that.”
Perla Albertsdóttir (ISL) – left wing:
On the first ever Icelandic victory at a Women’s EHF EURO:
“I am so happy, it is very good feeling. We have been looking forward to this tournament for four years. We have been thinking and talking about at every training. Now we managed to get our first win, it means a lot to us.”
On the keys to success:
“In the first half we only focused on us, and what we can do best: we are very good in defence and very good in running. So we just ran, and it worked well. In the end, maybe some players were tired or under stress, or we had in mind that this is the first time we can win. We did not want to make many mistakes, but we did not score that much as in the first half, because we were not running. But we won, that’s all.”
On the chances of proceeding to the main round:
“We have a final game now against Germany. Of course we are going to do the best.”
On eliminating Germany from the knock-out stage at the 2011 World Championship:
“Maybe this is a good omen. It sounds good. We want to show how we played today and against the Netherlands, and we hope to have fun until the end.”
Elin Jona Thorsteinsdottir (ISL) – goalkeeper
On the win against Ukraine and her great performance:
“I don’t feel like a star of anything because we’re a team, and we do everything together. If I’m doing good is because defence is doing good and we have a plan for each game, and we follow it, and if something has to be changed we do it, and I’m just proud of the team.”
On the atmosphere in the team:
“It’s really good, we’re on a high, and we’re going to enjoy it tonight, and then tomorrow we need to focus again on the next game.”
Borys Chyzhov (UKR) – head coach
On the defeat against Iceland:
“We did not start the game well, a lot of mistakes and we did not use our chances, but in the second half, we showed our spirit, our game and, of course, the goalkeeper (Elin Thorsteinsdottir) had a big role in (Iceland’s) win.”
Tatiana Smbatian (UKR) – centre back
On the defeat:
“We are so sad and disappointed with our start of the game. We just did not do what we should do. So we lost the game already in the beginning, the distance was too big and unfortunately we could not catch up until the end.”
On their last match against the Netherlands:
“We just have to fight, that’s it.”
Valeriia Nesterenko (UKR) – left back
On the match against Iceland:
“I think that we have a good team, but we lost because we didn’t start the game well. We missed our chances in first half, but I think our team will have good future and our wins will wait for us in the near future.”
MONTENEGRO 27:25 ROMANIA
Suzana Lazovic (MNE) – head coach
On her team's performance:
“It was important that we win this match because it's a big step for the second round. If we compare a match against Serbia and this one we didn't play so well, we had some problems in defence, but it's good this happened now as we can see clearly what is a mistake and maybe we can have in the future that we can solve in the next round and immediately in the next match.
“I am happy and proud of my players, even though in a few situations our focus was down, but we managed to come back, we didn't allow for this to pull us backwards, but to see where our mistakes are and to make this strong step forward so that the result goes our way.”
Jelena Vukcevic (MNE) – right back
On the match against Romania:
“Personally, this was a very important match, but for the entire team as well. I believe that these kinds of matches can lift young players like myself and I am very happy that I am a part of this team. We have a great atmosphere and amazing support, and I believe this is just the start.”
Florentin Pera (ROU) – head coach
On the loss:
“In my opinion, we played good, we didn’t give up. You know we have a new team, we have a lot of young players, seven players first time at the European championship.
“I’m happy that we didn’t give up 60 minutes and tried to come back in the game, and the first half we found a good way and came back. In the second half, we didn’t have enough energy.
“We started with one hard game against Czechia. Montenegro they played against Serbia, they had an easier game, unlike us. Also they have a big experience playing a lot of years together, but I think with this young players we showed good handball and it was close to Montenegro.”
On what to improve for the next match:
“We have to be more aggressive in defence, and also in attack we have to play more collective, you have some moments when you play difficult but I’m proud of these young players because we were close today.”
Angela Stoica (ROU) – left back
On losing the match against Montenegro:
“I think it was not a bad one, but it was not good enough to win the game. We started a little bit dead, and it was hard for us to keep up in the end.”
On what to improve for the next match:
“We have a lot things to learn. We’re young and don’t have much experience that Montenegro have, but I think in time, we’ll learn how to manage the attacks better.”
NETHERLANDS 29:22 GERMANY
Henrik Signell (SWE) – head coach, Netherlands
On the win against Germany:
“We had a tough start. They were very good at the beginning and we were a bit passive, especially in our defence, but we corrected it. We kept our heads cool, and I’m just very impressed by our performance.”
On goalkeeper Yara ten Holte’s performance:
“She was really good, and of course, when we had a tough period in the first half she had some important saves, so we could stay in the match, so she was definitely one of the key players.“
On what he said at half-time:
“To keep on, to continue. We felt we were playing better and better, so it was just to do it even better next half and we really did.”
Lois Abbingh (NED) – left back
On the victory:
“I am really happy, as those points are so important for the upcoming stages. We needed to win, we made it, so I am totally proud on the team.”
On the performance of goalkeeper Yara ten Holte:
“We will find some Advent gifts for her on the Christmas market, she can choose. She was simply brilliant today. When she had saved the first penalty, she was on fire. And we exactly needed her to help us in that moment. We conceded only 22 goals, this is a good sign for defence and goalkeepers.”
On the potential turning point at the score of 18:18:
“I had the constant feeling that we had controlled the match, but of course you know from experience that a match can turn around – but not today.”
On the key for the win:
“The key was our defence in the second half. When we defend like this, we can run our counter-attacks.”
Dione Housheer (NED) – right back
On the win:
“It was crazy. The start was not so good. We were I think a little bit down, especially in defence and almost every attack. But then we just switched and we helped each other even more.
“When the defence is good, we have an amazing goalkeeper behind and then also our attack got a little better flow. We just kept going and we played really aggressive and also towards the goal in attack, and helped us to get a win today.”
On what she said to goalkeeper Yara ten Holte after the match:
“I said really good job, amazing, that she has to keep going like this, and yes, it would really help us. She did a really good job and (it) helps so much if she has some great saves, and then defence gets also so much energy, and then we also can play some good attack. It was amazing from her today.”
On whether they will celebrate in the locker room:
“I think a little. It was really important to win. We knew that against Germany we need to win so I think it’s a really good feeling we have. Some small dance or music I think, ha ha (smiles).”
Markus Gaugisch (GER) – head coach
On the defeat against the Netherlands:
“We started well. First half we go in plus one and that’s a normal result against Netherlands, so there’s no reason to give up. I think we had 20 very perfect minutes and then Netherlands showed us how to play handball. Individual, collective and whole team or in small groups. They are very, very good and we had no chance.”
On the German support from the stands:
“A lot of German supporters, they have been loud and I think this a good sign for us."
Emily Bölk (GER) – left back
On the clear defeat:
“We missed a few too many 100 per cent chances in the first half, we could have made life easier for ourselves. But of course, the Netherlands are an absolute top team, so it's clear that things can't go the way they did like at the beginning for 60 minutes, but that they will show a different face.
“In the second half we really had problems finding solutions and when we had chances, taking advantage of them. Yara ten Holte played well, of course, but we have to focus on ourselves and make fewer mistakes. We invited the Dutch to counter attack, which is their absolute strength. Still, the final result was too clear.”
On the chance to turn the match around at 18:18:
“It was a mental push for the Dutch that their goalkeeper was blocking the goal and that we had to work so hard for every chance – and did not reward ourselves for it. We have to play cool and consistently in attack. There were one or two more moments to turn the game around, but we couldn't take advantage of them.”
On the next match against Iceland:
“We need two points against Iceland, they are an unknown opponent that we haven't played against for a long time. They are definitely not to be underestimated, but we absolutely need these two points now.”
On how the result affects their main round chances:
“This defeat is super annoying. We needed the best possible starting position to create a surprise in the main round and to even have a chance at the semi-finals. That will be super difficult now. But nothing is impossible. We have to do our job against Iceland first, go to Vienna and give it our all in every game there and hope for some help. But now we're looking at ourselves for the first time.”
Katharina Filter (GER) – goalkeeper:
On the defeat:
“We started well, but then we let Yara ten Holte play a really good game. After that, we don't do much, we get overwhelmed and end up not finding any solutions in attack. That was annoying.”
On whether they could have turned the match around:
“In the last 10 minutes we made far too many technical mistakes and then let the Netherlands score a lot of easy goals.”
On her spectacular save:
“At that moment I just wanted to hold onto the ball, because it was really close. I was hoping that this save could help us again.”
On the match against Iceland:
“We have to win the game, no question. We don't have to worry too much, we can still play handball. Iceland won't give us anything for free, but we will get the points. I am sure.”
On the consequences for the main round of this defeat:
“The defeat is absolutely annoying when you look at the main round, those were important points that we could have taken. It's stupid to lose like that, we could have taken at least one point. That's life. Now we have to win against Iceland and give it our all in the main round.”
DENMARK 35:30 SWITZERLAND
Jesper Jensen (DEN) – head coach
On the positive elements that stood out to him:
“There's a lot of positive things to win against Switzerland here in Switzerland. I think they performed well, Switzerland. They played with big hearts over the 50:50 situations in the game — I think they won 60 per cent of them. That shows the heart they played with today. I'm very happy about the win and hopefully we are on to the middle round with two points now.”
On what he wants the players to focus on when they lead throughout a game:
“We can look back at some actions and focus on all the things where we underperformed a little bit. But when I think, more or less, we were in control during the entire game and plus three to six all over both halves. That was good for us and also we had the knife towards our throat a little bit, so that was also, I think, a good training towards the middle round.”
Althea Reinhardt (DEN) – goalkeeper
On the key to the win:
“The good attack and that we were scoring on our chances. I feel that's our key today.”
On her first championship with a new goalkeeper duo:
“It's going fine. I think Anna's (Kristensen) a really good goalkeeper. We have a really good partnership and we help each other, so that's really nice. That's good.”
On the atmosphere playing the home team:
“It was really nice. I really enjoyed it. It's the love for handball. I think it's so cool and I love it.”
Emma Friis (DEN) - left wing
On the win against Switzerland:
“It was a tough game, a nice hard fight. We played in a great atmosphere and nice experience for both teams.”
On the team:
“We are also a new team, having new players coming into the team so for us it is good to have this confidence going into the main round with everyone having play-time. Everybody feels good and comfortable.”
On the next game against the Faroe Islands:
“We want to win the match again, but of course, it's a special game against the Faroe Island because we are close as countries and there's a lot of players in the Faroe Islands who are playing in Denmark so we know a lot of them. It's going to be funny to play against them here in this arena as they have many spectators as well, so I hope we just get a great atmosphere again.”
Knut Ove Joa (NOR) – head coach, Switzerland
On the game:
“It's a great performance from our side. We are meeting a very strong team who wont the bronze medal in the Olympics. That we have actually the possibility to be close enough to get a good performance and feel that we have done a good performance is the most important to us. We knew it would be tough.
“I am proud of the players and the players really deserve to have this arena — this atmosphere with this game today.”
On what they talked about at half-time:
“The most important thing when we meet these kind of teams which have the level they have, we have to know that they punish each technical foul, each time we do something too early. So, we were trying to see in the second half if we can come into situations where we get better chances, not getting punished so much directly, because suddenly it's like going from four to seven and eight goals before we know it.
“Trying to keep it calm, try to keep running if we have the chance to get the counter attacks. That was the main thing.”
Daphné Gautschi (SUI) – left back
On the match:
“We did a really good match from the beginning until the end. We had some ups and downs of course, but I think in the end we can be really proud with what we did today.”
On the positives for her team:
“We were not afraid of them and I think nothing made us stop. We made mistakes, but we never let the head down.”
On the atmosphere:
“It was incredible, really. They were amazing and I really loved it.”
Kerstin Kündig (SUI) - centre back
On the atmosphere:
“This was one of the best games we've ever played and in front of more than 5,000 spectators who came to watch our young team. It's simply amazing to play such a great game in front of so many young girls that maybe want to start playing handball or maybe already play handball. I think everyone is satisfied after this game.”
On her performance:
“I try to bring a little bit of experience and a little bit of high time point to the game, so I hope I can help the team as much as possible and I think today I was also lucky with some good action. I kept the team a bit in a good flow. So I'm also satisfied.”
On the crucial game against Croatia:
“They had two tough games already and I'm happy that we have now tonight to, recover from this game. From tomorrow we are going to focus on the Croatian game. It's going to be a tough game, but I think it's not impossible. We just have to believe in ourselves and show a good play like we did against Denmark.”
CROATIA 17:17 FAROE ISLANDS
Ivica Obrvan (CRO) – head coach
On the match:
“I would like to congratulate Faroe Islands as well as my team for a good fighting. As a trainer, I cannot be satisfied with our attack. However, the match against Switzerland will be a final for us, as it will for the second round, and we will try to forget this match as soon as possible.”
On whether the Faroe Islands surprised him:
“We were well prepared for Faroe Islands — a good team with a Danish system. They have a very good, compact team and very strong playing, so nothing has surprised us, but our attack was not so good as we expected it to be.”
Katarina Jezic (CRO) – line player
On the game:
“It has been many ups and downs during the whole game for both teams. It has been a tough game. Both teams played hard defence. I can say for my team it was a little struggle to score a goal. Many mistakes. I don't know what to say. It's a little bit emotional. Nobody expected this end, but this is how it is now.”
On the focus in the close final minutes:
“I think it has been actually so many minutes without a goal for both teams, so I was just like, ‘let it go inside of the goal’, and then defend the rest of the game. Just I wanted a victory. That’s all.”
Claus Leth Mogensen (DEN) – head coach, Faroe Islands
On the game:
“It was close the whole time. I think they were leading the most by two goals and we were leading with one and that was a difference, so it could go either way and I guess it's fair that it’s a draw for both teams. We're happy. But I don't think the Croatians are as happy as we are.”
On how the match compared with his expectations:
“We hoped it will be close but we expected the match as it was. There was a lot of physical defence. We struggled to score goals, but I'm really proud of the defence we could manage this match, which made it also difficult for Croatia to score goals.
“And then we've been so proud of getting a point — the first point ever for the Faroe Islands. Now I have to say to the fans, it was goosebumps all over the whole match. It's really fantastic.”
On whether he was more satisfied with the players’ performances than in round 1:
“I was more satisfied. We still struggled to score goals, but because our defensive effort was so good, we still stayed in the game.
“I think Croatia’s goalkeeper (Lucija Bešen) had a really good match and we struggled to score against them. We created enough chances to score, but she did very well.”
Annika Frídheim Petersen (FAR) – goalkeeper
On the match:
“It was a very physical, difficult match. The Croatian players are very, I don't know, bigger than us, so we knew that we needed some extra strength today. I think we showed that.”
On her personal performance at the EURO so far:
“I'm very proud and really proud of the defence also. We kept to our agreements and I think it worked out very good.”
On the historic moment for the Faroe Islands:
“This is so big. We dreamt about points, but we knew that we needed something extra to get them. And I think we showed today that we stood all together — also the fans and everything — and it was incredible.”
SLOVENIA
Tjaša Stanko (SLO) – left back
On the match against Austria:
“We are expecting a hard match, as we know how it feels to play as the host in front of a full arena from two years ago. Austria are stepping up every year, they have a good team and use their rotation a lot, this means we have to take care of a lot of their players. This is much harder than focusing on just one. We count on our defence. I trust on my team and I believe we can do it.”
On the many young new players in Slovenia’s team:
“Our coach Dragan Adžic is encouraging them a lot. With the young players you have nothing to lose. You need a fighting spirit, and those young players have it, they have a lot of energy. This is enough for now. The more experienced players have to take more responsibilities, but we are aware of it. We are trying to create a good and relaxed atmosphere that they feel well and can step up.”
Ivona Barukcic (SLO) – left back
On the match against Austria:
“We need to be focused from the first minute and have to play with a good defence, as then we can score some easy goals and this would mean an easier way to achieve a victory.”
On her first EHF EURO matches in her career:
“I was really nervous before my first match, but being on the court, the nervousness was gone. It is really an excitement to play this EURO. The older players and the coach always help us, they are here for us to lift us up. And it doesn’t matter if any of us makes mistakes.”
FRANCE
Sebastien Gardillou (FRA) – head coach
On the next game, against Portugal:
“I would like to take the right position. Fight against Portugal, because it's very important for the French team to follow this path and to respect every opponent every time. My goals, my proposal, is to be better each game than the last time, the last game.
“We need to improve — all the steps we need to take against Portugal, how is normal. In my mind, I organise my team to be strong. I would like to change something maybe, because Estelle Nze Minko, she's sick, and I need to change maybe one thing. I would like to be able to lead this team far, and for this, we need to make a big step against Portugal.”
On what is important for France against Portugal, knowing they have already won the group:
“Firstly, to win. Secondly, to be better in defence and able to build our fast breaks and breakthroughs better than yesterday. We won by a large range against Poland in fast breaks — 22:0. Yesterday, we lost, 5:6 against Spain. I'm a little sad about this and disappointed, in fact, because it's a key point for the French team to win all the time, the battle of the large space.
“My purpose for this game is to be strong in defence and go fast — my right and left wing as first irons, weapons. After, our ability to turn around our line player and organise the game around the line player, because yesterday it was so hard. I don't like how we played around the line player. Obviously, we are not so good with back shooting, and maybe organise themselves to be better in shooting outside nine metres.”
Pauletta Foppa (FRA) – line player
On the big picture of the tournament right now:
“The last game was not so easy to win, but I'm happy to go to Debrecen. We have four games, very hard also. For me, this European championship is very hard because all the team do their best and they are very strong, game after game. But now we have the last game against Portugal and I want to win, also to finish good this first step.”
On the differences in the two games so far:
“It’s every time hard to win (against) Spain, because the back players play very strong. It’s little players and they like to play all the space. It's different to Poland, because they are tall and they like to shoot in the nine metres and for the team, it’s better to defend like this, to just to go out.
“Spain is very different. Also, they have the good pivot and sometimes you stay focused on the pivot, but the backs come in the middle and shoot with 10 or 12 metres. It’s hard to cover the line player also and to go out to make the big fight. It's playing a little slowly than us and I think this is hard because I like to play good in defence and to run also. Yesterday (against Spain) we can't do this.”
On the mental side of needing a win versus Portugal:
“It's important because if you lose, you say, for the next game, ‘I need to win. I need to win.’ Also for the adversaries have maybe the impression of you. It’s good also to say, yes, I win, now I’m focused for the next game and I give everything to win again.”
SWEDEN
Tomas Axnér (SWE) - head coach
On improving from the defeat by Hungary:
"It's a cocktail of feelings. Hungary played a very good game and they were better than us. We should not lose or give them a 10-goal lead like they had or 12-goal lead that was not our best performance. We can do much better in our defence and also in our attack. And we only scored like two or three counter-attacking goals and normally we score 10 against every team.
“We have a lot of things in our game and didn't work well yesterday. But I don't think it gives any meaning to buy a shovel and start digging, start looking forward and try to think what we can do further on in this tournament, and now it's a difficult path for us to go further, but I'm sure that there are going to be possibilities somehow and somewhere in this tournament, and there we have to start by playing better than we did yesterday."
On how he lifts the squad up after such a loss:
"We started that procedure yesterday when we came home from the hotel, we had a good talk but also the players can express their feelings about the game and also say something about their own performance. And I, as coach, can also tell them that there are things that I could have done differently.
“When we're done with that, we'll start looking forward and think about what is going to make us a better team. And it's not going to be sitting in your room and crying about what we lost. You always have to think, what can we do next and how do we improve? What can we do different than we did yesterday?"
Nathalie Hagman (SWE) - right wing
On the defeat to Hungary:
“The loss yesterday was really hard for us. I think everyone knew that this was like the main game in this group, and also to get the points for the next round.
“But we have a lot of games left. It will be a little bit harder to go along in this European championship, but we will continue to work hard and take victories in the next games. Hopefully it will be enough to reach a semi-final."
On the match against Türkiye:
"We saw a little bit when they played against Hungary in the first game and they played a very very good game and Hungary struggled a lot. In the game tomorrow, we will need to work hard and find good rhythm, especially in defence as we struggled a lot yesterday against Hungary. I hope and I think it would be enough for a victory tomorrow."
POLAND
Arne Senstad (NOR) – head coach, Poland
On what he took from the game against Portugal:
“It was not a pretty game. We hoped to play a little better actually, but of course we knew that Portugal, they're a strong team on their way up, as I told before the game. They're playing really tough defence, so we need to change a little bit how we are used to play. I think yesterday, we had some good situations, but we didn't take them.
“I missed a little bit that my players are more directly to the goal, more of them. I think (Monika) Kobylinska shows that she can do it, but I'm waiting for some of the others. (Aleksandra) Rosiak in the end also did it. But so we need to be even better about this tomorrow because it's a little bit similar, even maybe a little bit better defence.
“Then we also missed some good opportunities, I think, when we first got them, so then it was a tight game. They are fast, so in the defence they showed that they challenged us really tough. But one goal is enough and we have been talking about, the whole week or the whole camp or after we knew the draw that the deciding game will be Monday against Spain anyway.
“But it's no doubt we need to step up because Spain has been on a really high level and we haven't shown this yet. But we stick with the plan and I'm ready to fight tomorrow.”
On the match against Spain:
“It’s going to be for sure a tough game. They showed last weekend when they won against France, and they also almost did it yesterday. A big part of the game, they were the team that was in the front and just lost with two. So I know and we know their strengths.
“Again, players playing high level that have good individual skills and Ambros (Martin, coach) is building the team now, playing really good handball. So for us it will be tough, but we also have some matches, and I hope that we also can be even better. And we need to. This has been the plan the whole way, so we just need to fight them and I hope we are ready for that in the morning.”
On whether the fact Portugal and Spain are a bit similar is beneficial:
“If I could prepare, I would prepare some other teams, because it's really difficult to play against. But yes, now we could try a little bit like this yesterday, that we know what we need to improve. But again, I think for sure Spain has even more quality in their game, and in their players, so what we did yesterday is not good enough.
“We need to step up but for sure, we had two tough matches now and it's waiting (for) one more. As I said, we stick with our plan and we have been ready for this now for a long time, so now it's up to ourselves tomorrow if we can surprise a little bit, because I think Spain is for sure the big favourites, but we will give it a try.”
Aleksandra Zych (POL) – right back
On their first win:
“We won yesterday, so of course, we are happy. The style of our playing — it's not 100 per cent satisfying for us, but I believe and I hope, I know, that the longer we are in the tournament, we play better and better. Tomorrow’s game with Spain is for everything. I hope that we'll be our best possible and that we will win this game.”
On what she would like to improve based on the Portugal game:
“For sure like flow and timing with our positional attack, because Portugal team and also Spain team have similar type of defence, which is kind of hard for us. I think that we need to really focus on that, to find this timing, to move without the ball more, and we'll analyse this today.”
On what she was happy with against Portugal:
“For sure, coming back to defence was better because with the French team — of course, French team is really, really good. It's top-level players. A top-level team.
“But in defence, we played quite good. I think that with France, the game was more about the fast counter attacks. This part killed us, so I think we improved this a lot. And our defence is also quite OK — 6-0, 5-1. I think that we should be satisfied with this. The most problems we had with positional attack.”
On the game against Spain:
“Same as yesterday with Portugal. Every game, now, it's for everything. It's win or go home. Everybody knows that it's our dream and how much we work to be here, and I know that the girls will fight till the last seconds. We just know what this game is about and we'll give our all.”
On what it would mean to reach the main round after so long:
“This is my last championship in my career so personally, for me, it means everything in the world to win the game tomorrow.”
HUNGARY
Vlagyimir Golovin (HUN) – head coach
On his players’ performance against Sweden
"It was a pleasant surprise but at the same time and not so much. We managed to display out on the court what we've discussed before the game, both in attack and in defence and even when the Swedish team performed well they still couldn't score a goal, so it took their confidence away, which also helped us to earn that big advantage."
On the final match in the preliminary round, against North Macedonia:
"We are already preparing for the next game and we will for sure, try to give some rest to some players, but we don't want to look down on any of our opponents. We want to show full strength too, because there will be many fans out in the arena again, and we want them to go home happy."
On the atmosphere in the arena in Debrecen:
"The atmosphere was excellent. We love to play here in Debrecen because of all our history here at this arena. And after yesterday's match, we can feel that the whole country is also cheering for us. So, we cannot give ourselves rest because we have to show them what we can do and that we fight because they are supporting us. We have to give them back."
Katrin Klujber (HUN) - right back
On the atmosphere in the arena on Saturday:
"We wanted to start the game well and we felt the energy coming from the fans in the arena. It gave us the strength and the energy to put more work into it and start the game on high."
On beating Sweden:
"This was a real clash and also, we can say that in the past year that it was a kind of El Classico between Hungary and Sweden. At a tournament like this, it always gives strength and extra motivation to go forward and to look for the upcoming matches."
SPAIN
Ambros Martin (ESP) – head coach
On how he sees Saturday’s game against France:
“Still I don't know, after one night, if we can be happy or not with the result — of course, with the work and with the game we play, yes, without any doubt. But when you are so close and you are leading in the second half and then you have the clear possibility to beat France second time in a row in one week, then it’s a pity. It's not easy to sleep with this defeat. But yes, very satisfied and proud of the job of the girls during this week, but I repeat, it was a bit bitter.”
On how the tournament is going, with the rebuilt squad:
“We came here with an idea and nothing changed from our point of view, in the meaning that we are working for the future, thinking in the long-term future. But we want to do it from the very first moment, from the very first championship and this one, no matter who is the opponent, no matter how the game goes.
“We played much better yesterday against a tougher team than Portugal, and this normally happens when you don't play with nerves or pressure of the beginning or when you play against a similar level team like Portugal or Poland can be. So, our idea, our purpose for the next game is to forget about the consequences. To forget about results or classification. Just thinking how to make the best game to play the best handball.”
On the game against Poland:
“Physically, they are a very strong team. Very big players. My guess is that we cannot go in this fight, because then probably we will have problems. So we need to play in a different way. Not let them go where they feel more comfortable in the offence. And also in the defence, try to play a very smart game to avoid these big players, especially in the centre.
“It's going to be probably, for both teams, more than a game, more than two points. It is for both the same possibility — to go to the next round. And probably these circumstances also play in both sides. We will see which team can handle it better.”
Paula Agullò (ESP) — right wing
On how the team feels on Sunday morning:
“We didn't win yesterday but we are happy today because of the work we did yesterday. We fight until the end and we lost because of little things at the end of the match, and of course, the experience that France have, so we are happy and obviously thinking about Monday. That game now is the past, so we are focused on the next game.”
On the match against Poland:
“It's going to be a hard match because for both teams, if we win, we pass to the next round, to the main round. It’s going to be strong and we have to control their first lines, their shots from nine metres. They are strong players and we have to control that and be strong in defence.”
TEXT:
European Handball Federation