Athlete of the week

Handballer Bianca Bazaliu

Florin Orban, 06.02.2024, 13:45

Romanian women’s handball team Gloria
Bistriţa late last week advanced to the EHF European League’s quarterfinals. Gloria
grabbed a 34-29 away win against French opponents Nantes, a team that was at the
top of the table in Group C, after the first three rounds. Two rounds ahead of
the end of the League’s group stage, Gloria has secured one of the first two places
in the Group, also booking its place among the competition’s top eight teams.

In the match
against Nantes, Gloria had the upper hand all throughout the game, being even
nine goals clear of their French opponents. Gloria eventually secured a
five-goal advantage. With nine goals scored, Gloria’s most efficient handballer
was Bianca Bazaliu.

Reason enough for Radio Romania International
to designate Banca Bazaliu the Athlete of the week.

Bianca Bazaliu was
born in Slatina, on July 30, 1997. She made her debut in handball with the Slatina-based
Sports High school team. At the age of 14 she was already signed up with Romania’s
National juniors’ team. At the World Juniors’ Championship in 2014 Bazaliu was a
member of the lineup that walked away with the gold medal. With 76 goals
scored, Bianca came in 2nd according to the top scorers’ rankings. Also,
Bianca Bazaliu was voted as a member of the tournament’s dream team, being designated
the best left winger. Also in 2014, Bianca played for CSM Bucharest, the team
with which, in 2016, won the Champions’ League. In 2019, Bianca Bazaliu had a
short stint with Corona Brasov, then she returned to CSM Bucharest. A yearlong stint
with Croatia’s Podravka Koprivnica followed. Since 2022, Bianca has been playing
for Gloria Bistrita. Since 2014, Bianca Bazaliu has been an honorary citizen of
her native town, Slatina, also being an honorary citizens of Romania’s capital
city, Bucharest, since 2016.