EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE INTRODUCES: Daniela Piedade (Hypo Nö) – PART 2/4

After two stars of the Men’s EHF Champions League, our interview series goes on with a lady at last. In the upcoming weeks we will introduce you a Brazilian handballer from Vienna, Daniela De Oliveira Piedade. The line player of Hypo Niederösterreich arrived in Europe five years ago and she has become team captain and key figure of the Austrian club that won Champions League (and Champions’ Cup) eight times.

On arriving in Europe, the Brazilian player of Hypo met many new faces – virtually all of them world class handball players. The first steps are always difficult, especially when a handballer comes from a country less known for its handball culture. In the second part of our series, we ask Daniela Piedade about the years in Hypo and the players that formed her career.

Eurohandball.com: You played in the second team of Hypo, but you trained with the stars. What were your first impressions of your new club?

Daniela Piedade: Yes, when I arrived in Austria, the first six months were considered a test period. Though I played in the second squad, I trained together with players such as Tanja Logvin, Rita Deli and Valentina Radulovic.

The reaction of the team was mixed. There were very helpful team mates, and there were others who didn’t understand what a Brazilian was doing there. They believed that the management just wanted to have a cheap player…

Eurohandball.com: Who were the ones to help you the most in that difficult period?

Daniela Piedade: Katrin Engel, Bea Balogh and Valentina Radulovic. They were extremely helpful right away. Spiridon was the pivot of the team and we were good friends with her. We often went out together or had a dinner at each other’s.

Eurohandball.com: Did you have a role model in the team?

Daniela Piedade: The ones who I admired the most were Radulovic and Balogh. Radulovic is a great fighter and a fantastic handball player, while Balogh played with incredible calmness.

Eurohandball.com: How much time did you need to reach the level of the stars?

Daniela Piedade: The first season was a catastrophe; I didn’t even get much chance to play. It was the third season when I felt the change. I played line player and winger as well that season and I felt that I was able to help the team with my performance.

Eurohandball.com: You reached Cup Winners’ Cup final and two semi-finals of the Champions League? What do you consider your greatest success with the club?

Daniela Piedade: All these listed, but unfortunately, we were unable to reach or win a CL final so far. This is what I would like to achieve with Hypo and I hope that it will be possible this season.

Eurohandball.com: The start of the season was ideal to reach this goal with two victories from two matches…

Daniela Piedade: That’s right. To be honest, I have never experienced such a good atmosphere inside the team since I’ve been playing for Hypo.

However, this is not everything. We had a meeting yesterday where the coach told us that he is still not 100% satisfied. I also know that it is still possible to improve, but the atmosphere is really ideal.

We will meet Daniela again next week when she will tell us about the team of the present and about their chances in the CL after a match in Skopje that promises lot of excitement.

Previously:

EHF Champions League introduces: Daniela Piedade (Hypo Nö) – part 1/4

The Vlado Sola (CO Zagreb) interview series
The László Nagy (FC Barcelona) interview series