High expectations in Oltchim
Oana Florica Chirilă Șoit was one of the key players in the back court of the Spanish team Itxako that not only surprised the handball world by reaching the EHF Champions League final last season, but also staged an epic battle against the highly-favoured Larvik.
The 30-year-old right back surprised many by returning home to her mother country Romania to join Oltchim Rm. Vâlcea. She is aiming high again, and looks for a top performance and result at her new club.
Oana talked to ehfCL.com after her successful debut in her new Oltchim colours.
ehfCL.com: Last season you played for Itxako, a team that played in the EHF Champions League final. What are your memories of that successful year, the final against Larvik, and your former team-mates?
Oana Florica Chirilă Șoit: Last year was very beautiful and full of nice surprises for me and the whole team. I think that my decision to play for Itxako was the best one for that period, as I met fantastic people there. Being a small club, it felt like a family. The final was the best reward for all the hard work and sacrifices we made.
ehfCL.com: Do you miss Spain, and why did you decide to accept the offer of Oltchim Vâlcea and move back to Romania?
Oana Florica Chirilă Șoit: Naturally, I miss Spain, yes, as I have spent 9 years of my career there, but Romania is my home, and I always knew that one day I'd come back. The offer from Vâlcea was my best opportunity to return home and to be part of another great team with high expectations.
ehfCL.com: How do you view the preparation of your new club and what goals do you have personally and with your new team?
Oana Florica Chirilă Șoit: The coaches try to find the best ways for us to be in top condition for EHF Champions League games and I think they are doing a great job at the moment. My goal is to have at least the same level of success as last year and also, like the team’s goal, to play again the final!
ehfCL.com: Against Buxtehuder SV you were one of the match winners, contributing 11 goals to the victory. Does this successful entry mean that you have settled in well in Romania again? What do you remember of the match?
Oana Florica Chirilă Șoit: I feel very good in the team. I know almost everybody from the National Team, including coach Radu Voina, so there were not many new things for me.
The game against Buxtehude was very intense, as they didn't give up until the end, so we had a hard task. If the Germans play like this in their next games, they may cause a surprise!
ehfCL.com: Next, you will play against Dinamo. What are your expectations at home?
Oana Florica Chirilă Șoit: I hope we’ll improve our game plan, and we have to have more trust in our team spirit. The public will give us the support we need. In Rm. Vâlcea they always do!
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TEXT:
Márk Hegedüs