Bacău want to learn more

After a win and a draw against Israeli champions Maccabi Srugo Rishon Lezion, Știința Municipal Dedeman Bacău became the first qualified team for this year’s Men’s EHF Cup Group Phase.

This is the best European performance in Bacău’s history, as the Romanian team’s best achievement so far was qualifying for the Challenge Cup’s semifinals two years ago.

”It is a huge performance for us. The players knew what was at stake and really outplayed their opponents in the first game. The comfortable win (33:22) meant that the second game could be treated more relaxed. A draw was a good result, as we played our third game in only five days,” said Bacău’s coach, Eliodor Voica.

Qualifying for the Men’s EHF Cup Group Phase was Bacău’s objective this year. However, the team will not be relaxed in the competition and will try and claim a few surprises, according to Voica.

“Before the competition, we knew that qualifying for the Group Phase was going to be the main objective this year. But it’s not over for us”.

“We will use these matches to become stronger. We want to learn everything from the powerhouses that will compete in our group”, said Știința and Romania’s national team coach.

However, Voica doesn’t have any sides that would like to take on in the Group Phase.

“You don’t have the luxury to choose in this phase of the competition. We will surely play against a German, Spanish or a French team. All our possible opponents are important sides.

We can learn a lot from them, because we are going to play two games against each side. I repeat, our objective in the Group Phase is to become a more powerful team,” concluded Voica.

The European Handball Federation released the seeding of teams for the Group Phase Draw, which will take place on 6 December (13:00 hrs local time) in Belgrade. The Romanian side has been selected for the second pot.

Photo: Iulian Scîntei