Russian-born Trishchuk now plays for Hungary

27-year-old Kristina Trishchuk arrived in Hungary in 2004 and started playing for Veszprém. After one season she was transferred to Fehérvár KC where she has been playing for seven years now.

Applying for Hungarian citizenship has been something that Trishchuk was contemplating for a number of years, as she had been feeling more and more attached to her new home.

Finally, after a long prodedure, she received the Hungarian citizenship this week. Her teammates and the coaches of the Hungarian national team, Karl Erik Bøhn and Beáta Siti, were also present at the ceremony.

"I was very excited during the whole day of the ceremony. It was a great feeling to see how many people were there with me. I want to thank all of them. It was a huge day for me," Trishchuk said to the official website of Fehérvár KC.

Karl Erik Bøhn, the Norwegian coach of the national team, had always believed that Kristina will be officially an Hungarian citizen before the EHF EURO 2012 throws off, so that she could help the team with her defensive as well as her goal scoring skills.

"It was a great feeling to know he (Bøhn) trusted me, and I really would like to help the national team to the best of my abilities. I am waiting for the training and the matches. I hope I can be successful with the Hungarian national team," Trishchuk added.

Hungary could face Russia at the EHF EURO 2012

Assistant coach Beáta Siti believes that Trishchul will be a strong asset to the team. "It is almost sure that Szandra Zácsik cannot travel with us to Serbia in December because of her shoulder injury.

"That is why we really need a back player. We also can use Kristina to relieve Zsuzsanna Tomori in the third defence position."

Trishchuk also has been thinking about the upcoming matches in the national team's jersey.

"Our EURO draw is not easy, so we have to be together as one team and I really would like to be a useful player of the team. I hope it will come off."

Hungary will play in Group C against Croatia, Germany and Spain. If they qualify for the next phase, it is quite likely that they will face Russia in the Main Round - and Russian-born Trishchuk has also thought about this possibility.

"I cannot say I am afraid of this match, but I am sure it will be a strange feeling to step on the court against them.

"I have spoken with many Russian teammates and they have accepted my choice (to become a Hungarian citizen) and wished me good luck with my new team.

"I do not think it is a strange situation in today's world of sport. I decided to become Hungarian, but meanwhile I am also Russian. One thing is for sure, I would provide one hundred percent in that match."

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