A 'new' Romania face their toughest test

A Romanian women’s national team with many fresh faces will meet Olympic and world champions Norway in a Women's EHF EURO 2014 Qualification double-header which will take place on 23 and the 27 of October in Oradea and Bergen.

The two sides were drawn to Group 7 alongside Belarus and the two matches between them are expected to set a decision which team is likely to take the group's top spot.

In 2012 Romania’s head coach, Gheorghe Tadici, started to rebuild the core of the team that won bronze at EHF EURO 2010.

Therefore Tadici called up a number of fresh faces for the double-header against Norway.

However, important and experienced names, like Paula Ungureanu, Adriana Nechita, Aurelia Bradeanu or Valentina Elisei still enjoy Tadici’s trust, and therefore have been called up once again for the national team.

But fresh faces like Tatar, Marin, Pirvuț or Oltean have also been nominated. All four of them are playing for HCM Baia Mare and their perfect start in the Romanian domestic league has recommended them for a place in the national team.

"We play against Norway on Wednesday, but we only had a few training sessions together. The six players from HCM Baia Mare and Patricia Vizitiu, who played for Krim in the EHF Women’s Champions League, will only join us Sunday or Monday.

"Our objective is to win at least one point on home court against Norway. They are a great team with hugely talented players.

"Just look at the match Györ won against Baia Mare in the Women’s EHF Champions League. (The two Norwegian internationals) Loke and Lunde were tremendous.

"And Norway also played friendly games against Györ and Denmark’s national team. It will be difficult," said Gheorghe Tadici.

Romania also have to cope with the absence of Cristina Neagu, the 2010 World Handball Player of the Year. She is rested for the double-header, as she only recently started to play for Montenegrin club handball powerhouse, Buducnost.

"Neagu will be the leader of this team, but she comes back following a very bad injury. She is not at her best, but shows a 30 to 40 per cent improvement compared last season. I was impressed with her gameplay."

"However, we agreed not to call her for this games, as she needs to be ready for the World Championship in December," concluded Tadici.

Romania’s squad for the matches against Norway

Goalkeepers: Paula Ungureanu (HCM Baia Mare), Mirela Nichita (Dunarea Braila), Denisa Dedu (Corona Brasov)

Wings: Valentina Ardean Elisei (CSM Cetate Deva), Adriana Nechita and Aneta Pirvuț (both HCM Baia Mare), Laura Chiper (Corona Brasov)

Line players: Raluca Agrigoroaie (HCM Roman), Timea Tatar (HCM Baia Mare), Crina Pintea (HC Zalau), Diana Ciuciulete (HC Zalau)

Backs: Gabriela Perianu (Dunarea Braila), Aurelia Bradeanu and Adriana Ţacalie (both Corona Brasov), Elena Băbeanu (HCM Roman), Luciana Marin and Laura Oltean (both HCM Baia Mare), Patricia Vizitiu (Krim Mercator Ljubljana)