16.08.2013, 02:48
The hosts allow themselves to dream big

A spot in the main round is the short-term goal for the Polish team at the Women’s 17 EHF EURO in Poland, and with the tournament just being 48 hours old the players have already started dreaming

The hosts allow themselves to dream big

It is the first time Poland hosts a Women’s 17 EHF EURO event.

However, the host nation’s squad, which is coached by Harald Tłuczykont, takes on the responsibility and allows itself to dream big – far beyond the group phase which is currently being playing in Gdansk and Gdynia.

While a spot among the top eight is the short-term goal, the young players feel no reluctance to dream about a podium finish.

The first step has already been made with a 25:21 victory against Portugal on Thursday (15 August), with Spain and Romania being the remaining two opponents in the group phase.

"It is like a dream if you play as hosts in front of a home crowd at your first championship,” says left back Patrycja Świerżewska.

“We want to show our best handball, play good games in the preliminary round and then fight for the best eight.”  

“We worked hard before the EURO, so I hope that it’ll deliver a good result for us.

"I think that each players at this championship dreams about an international career.

“I also want to play at a big club in Europe. This tournament is good opportunity to show my best handball,” the young athlete added.

Playing at the EHF EURO, with the World Championships and the Youth Olympic Games in mind

Her teammate, Kamila Konofał, agreed.

“Our main goal is to achieve the best possible results in our group and to qualify for the main round.

“Then we can think about more, but I hope that we will play in World Championships in next year,” said middle back Kamila Konofał.

“It is my dream to gained the medal in Gdynia and Gdańsk.”

The first eleven ranked teams will qualify for the 2014 Women’s Youth World Championship in FYR Macedonia while European champion also qualifies for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing (China).  

“It is important for us that we are playing in Poland.

“We will play in front of our families and close friends. We know that people believe in us. 

“The support from our fans is necessary, so we count on them,”  ended Konofał.

Having beaten Portugal, Harald Tłuczykont’s team is on course to qualify to the next round.

If they win their next match against Romania, they have secured a place in main round.

TEXT: Maciej Firlej / ts