Romania wins the bronze at the Women’s Handball World Championship

Romania hasnt had notable results in team sports in recent years, with the exception of womens handball, in particular in club competitions.

Florin Orban, 21.12.2015, 15:10

The greatest achievement of the Romanian national womens handball team in the new millennium was the silver at the World Championship in 2005 hosted by Russia. Ten years later, Romania achieved a new success, the bronze medal at this years edition of the World Championship in Denmark. On Sunday, in the match for the third place, Romania won convincingly against Poland, 31:22. Cristina Neagu was Romanias best player throughout the tournament, having scored 63 goals. She was also declared the most valuable player in the entire competition.

This is what she told a private television station after the game: “I think this is a great achievement for Romanian handball. After ten years we win a new medal at a world championship, even though this time its bronze and not silver like ten years ago. I would like to thank our fans in the stadium, those who cheered for us at home and everyone who has supported us regardless of our results.

Goalkeeper Paula Ungureanu was another key player in Romanias team, with a series of top-class saves. Winning the bronze with her team is the best achievement in the career of this 35 year-old player.

Paula Ungureanu: “I have trained for this moment for many, many years. Playing in a final is the dream of any player. I am very proud of everything we have achieved here. We were given little chances in the beginning, but we have demonstrated that we are a real team.

Romania were very close to playing the final for the world title. In their semi-final match against Norway on Friday, they narrowly lost in overtime 33:35. In the Sunday final, Norway defeated the Netherlands, 31:23.

Romanias assistant coach Costica Buceschi: “We should have been in the big final. We demonstrated that we deserved it particularly in our group matches, when we showed that we can play a good game, both defence and attack. Had we defeated Norway, I think we would have had a good chance at the gold. But we are happy with what we have achieved. We played well in the match for the third place, the way our team played and how they mobilised was extraordinary, and winning a bronze at a world championship is no mean feat. I think the greatest win for Romania was in terms of confidence. This was our biggest problem because everybody agreed that we had some very good players but we couldnt play like a real team.

The next goal for the Romanian womens handball team is next years Olympic Games in Rio. Finishing third at the world championship means they have qualified for one of the Olympic test events. Whats more, Romania may even host such an event, which would significantly increase their chances to secure a place at the Olympic Games.

Romania win the bronze at the Womens Handball World Championship

Romania hasnt had notable results in team sports in recent years, with the exception of womens handball, in particular in club competitions.

The greatest achievement of the Romanian national womens handball team in the new millennium was the silver at the World Championship in 2005 hosted by Russia. Ten years later, Romania achieved a new success, the bronze medal at this years edition of the World Championship in Denmark. On Sunday, in the match for the third place, Romania won convincingly against Poland, 31:22. Cristina Neagu was Romanias best player throughout the tournament, having scored 63 goals. She was also declared the most valuable player in the entire competition.

This is what she told a private television station after the game: “I think this is a great achievement for Romanian handball. After ten years we win a new medal at a world championship, even though this time its bronze and not silver like ten years ago. I would like to thank our fans in the stadium, those who cheered for us at home and everyone who has supported us regardless of our results.

Goalkeeper Paula Ungureanu was another key player in Romanias team, with a series of top-class saves. Winning the bronze with her team is the best achievement in the career of this 35 year-old player.

Paula Ungureanu: “I have trained for this moment for many, many years. Playing in a final is the dream of any player. I am very proud of everything we have achieved here. We were given little chances in the beginning, but we have demonstrated that we are a real team.

Romania were very close to playing the final for the world title. In their semi-final match against Norway on Friday, they narrowly lost in overtime 33:35. In the Sunday final, Norway defeated the Netherlands, 31:23.

Romanias assistant coach Costica Buceschi: “We should have been in the big final. We demonstrated that we deserved it particularly in our group matches, when we showed that we can play a good game, both defence and attack. Had we defeated Norway, I think we would have had a good chance at the gold. But we are happy with what we have achieved. We played well in the match for the third place, the way our team played and how they mobilised was extraordinary, and winning a bronze at a world championship is no mean feat. I think the greatest win for Romania was in terms of confidence. This was our biggest problem because everybody agreed that we had some very good players but we couldnt play like a real team.

The next goal for the Romanian womens handball team is next years Olympic Games in Rio. Finishing third at the world championship means they have qualified for one of the Olympic test events. Whats more, Romania may even host such an event, which would significantly increase their chances to secure a place at the Olympic Games.

(Translated by Cristina Mateescu; Edited by Diana Vijeu)