21.09.2012, 08:00
Jolidon Cluj hope for success on third attempt

Bolstered Romanian outfit confident to reach Women´s EHF Champions League Group Matches

Jolidon Cluj confident of achieving Women´s EHF Champions League place 

For the third year in a row, Universitatea Jolidon Cluj is trying to qualify for the Women’s EHF Champions League Group Matches. After they lost in Skopje two years ago and against Viborg last year, the Romanians are confident they can achieve their objective this year, as the qualifying tournament is taking place in their own hall this weekend.

Ambitions are high for the Transylvanian team, which bolstered its squad this summer by signing one of the best backs in Romania, Carmen Cartaş. The left back, who played for Romania during the world championship last winter, completes a well-tested squad which already boasted experienced players like Clara Vădineanu, Mihaela Tivadar, Magdalena Paraschiv or Florina Chintoan.

“It won’t be easy, I can tell you that,” said Cluj’s coach, Gheorghe Covaciu. “But with our fans beside us, I hope that the team will be able to provide a good game.

“If we play at our best, we can qualify. It is our dream to compete in the Champions League”, added Covaciu in a press conference held before the start of the tournament.

The Romanian team will face Turkish champions Muratpasa Belediyesi in their first match on Saturday, and left back Mihaela Tivadar is confident that her team can win and qualify for the final match.

“The first game is always the hardest,” she said. “But we know our opponent, we played against them in a friendly tournament not long ago. We will be nervous, but we want to deliver to our fans. If we win, I can’t say which side I want to play next as both Rostov and RK Zaječar are difficult teams to beat.”

TEXT: Adrian Costeiu