Samba on the Radio

Hypo Niederösterreich’s Brazilian left-winger Fernanda França da Silva talks about her new life in Austria and her EHF Women’s Champions League experiences so far.

Hypo’s squad this season includes eight Brazilian players and a different type of music - the samba - is on the radio during the day in the Südstadt, their playing home.

Five new young Brazilian national team players have joined the experienced trio of Alexandra do Nascimento, Daniela de Oliveira Piedade and Francine Cararo. One of them is left-winger Fernanda França da Silva who has joined the Austrians after one season in Spain with BM. Mar Sagunto. The gifted 22-year-old made a grandiose debut on home soil in the game against Randers HK, where she scored seven goals and was one of the main pillars for her side.

Fernanda talks to ehfCL.com about Brazil’s success at the recent XVI Pan American Games in Guadalajara in Mexico; her debut in the EHF Women’s Champions League and gives an insight about her goals in Hypo colours.

ehfCL.com: You recently won the gold medal at the Pan American Games in Mexico and qualified for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. On top of that you became the top scorer of the tournament. How do you feel about all these things, and are you looking forward to playing in the Olympics?

Fernanda França da Silva: It’s a huge thing as it was my first time playing in such a big tournament for the national team. As far as first position in the scoring list goes, well, I scored most of the goals thanks to counter attacks, so I need to praise our strong defence that allowed me to start so many fast breaks. The Olympic Games are still far ahead, so firstly I’d like to contribute as much as possible to the 2011 World Championship in our home country, Brazil.

ehfCL.com: Your move from Spain only happened about two months ago. How do you feel at Hypo and in Austria? Have you integrated well?

Fernanda França da Silva: I feel well in my new country, as I’ve seven Brazilians at the club around me! Of course, language is a serious difficulty, as I haven’t been able to attend the courses very much. This is something to work on during the next few months.

ehfCL.com: You’ve played two EHF Women’s Champions League matches so far. What are your reflections on them, and is it a special thing for you to play in the biggest continental club tournament?

Fernanda França da Silva: To play in the EHF Women’s Champions League has always been one of my dreams. Unfortunately we lost those two games, but there are still four ahead, so I’m looking forward to them.

ehfCL.com: In Round 2 against Randers HK you played one of your best games so far, including the preparation matches, and scored seven goals. How do you remember that game?

Fernanda França da Silva: It was a good game and I got great support from my team-mates. Unfortunately we lost by one goal.

ehfCL.com: In the upcoming round you will face the Danes again. What are your expectations from this Sunday match?

Fernanda França da Silva: I certainly hope to win it!

ehfCL.com: In the last two weeks you played in Mexico at the Pan American Games. Do you feel exhausted now or will the gold medal and the Olympic Games participation next year give you extra motivation?

Fernanda França da Silva: I’m feeling very well after the tournament, and therefore I think the Champions League games will give me and my team-mates an extra push.

ehfCL.com: Randers HK have your national team colleague Chana Masson between the sticks. How does it feel for you to attack and shoot the ball towards her?

Fernanda França da Silva: It’s a special thing (she laughs)... Of course, I think about it, when I see her in the goal. She knows my technique well and I know her style as well, so it’s not easy to play and score against her.

For more information about Fernanda França da Silva click HERE. 

For more information about Hypo Niederösterreich click HERE.