Ambitious Baia Mare reinforce squad

HCM Baia Mare will try to continue Oltchim Râmnicu Vâlcea’s legacy in the EHF Women’s Champions League next season.

However, the second placed team in last season’s Romanian championship have a difficult challenge in the Qualification Tournament. In the first match, Baia Mare has to beat Viborg HK, a three-time winner of the competitions.

In order to compete at the highest level, Baia Mare have strengthened their roster during this summer. The Romanian side managed to persuade both Adriana Nechita and Paula Ungureanu, former Oltchim players, to join the side.

“I chose Baia Mare with my heart. There were several offers for me to consider, but I chose Baia Mare, because I don’t want Romanian handball to die,” said Ungureanu, the 33-year-old goalkeeper, who played for former Romanian powerhouse, Oltchim Râmnicu Vâlcea for the past four seasons.

Nechita, a 30-year-old right wing, has signed a three-year contract, after being released by Oltchim, a team she has played with throughout her career.

”I am very sad to leave Oltchim, I’ve had a wonderful time there. Now I am focused to play for Baia Mare and I want to play in the Champions League Group Matches. It would be very nice to achieve our objective in front of our own fans,” said Nechita.

The former Oltchim players are not Baia Mare’s only new faces. Both Melinda Geiger and Mihaela Smedescu were signed after ending their loan spells from Oltchim, while left back Luciana Marin has joined Baia Mare from HCM Roman.