21.10.2013, 11:55
Poloz wants Slovakia to be positive

MATCH PREVIEW: The new head coach is certain that his team has all it takes to stand its ground in the qualification for the Women's EHF EURO 2014

Poloz wants Slovakia to be positive

Slovakia will start their qualification campaign for the Women’s EHF EURO in Hungary and Croatia with new head coach Dusan Poloz and with a clear aim.

As it so typical for his positive and enthusiastic character, Poloz believes Slovakia have what it takes to challenge even the best sides in Europe.

They are seeded in Group 2 alongside France, Iceland and Finland and will face France on 24 October and Iceland on 27 October.

"We have to stay positive. This is my message to the players. I am not saying we have to win the game in France, but we have to put everything into our performance.

"The women need to believe in themselves. In handball, just like in every sport, miracles happen. Maybe one of them will happen in Rouen on Thursday. Why not? We have to go for it, give it a try and show our best."

In December, he could have been leading the Czech women's national team in Serbia at the World Championship 2013 together with Jan Basny, however Poloz decided to take the chance to become the head coach of Slovakia and end the nation's almost 20-year long wait for a major tournament participation.

"I can't wait for the match against France to start. I will enjoy every game as Slovakian coach. This is why we do this sport. I feel proud and priviliged to lead the Slovakian national team."

In the lead-up to the first two qualification matches Slovakia lost a test match against world and Olympic champions Norway 27:31.

"This match showed that the team has good qualities and that they can suprise even against stronger oppositions.

"Nobody counts on Slovakia as a team that could make it to EURO and that is our advantage.

"Slovakian women can play good handball, I believe the good match against Norway proved they can do well."

With France being the group's favourites the match against Iceland will say a lot about both team's chances to make it to the final tournament.

"I know their coach, Agust Johannsson, from my time in Norway. And when I was the Czech national team's asisstant we beat Iceland in the play-offs for the 2013 World Championship, so I know enough about this team, but they will have good picture of us as well."

A full hall is expected for the Iceland match in Sala, a handball town of all means.

"We hope, the fans can help us do well. In Sala, it is never easy to win (for any away team) and I hope this will be the case with national team as well," said Poloz.

Slovakian squad for the two Women's EHF EURO Qualification matches against France (24. October at 19:15 hrs. local time) and Iceland (27. October at 17:00 hrs local time)

Goalkeepers: Zaneta Tothova (Stella Saint-Maur), Lucia Gubikova, Adriana Medveova (both Iuventa Michalovce) 

Line players: Andrea Czanik-Weibelova (DJK/MJC Trier), Dominika Hornakova, Patrícia Wollingerova (both Iuventa Michalovce) 

Wingers: Lydia Jakubisova (Thüringer HC), Simona Pilekova (SG BBM Bietigheim), Dagmar Stuparicova (SV Union Halle-Neustadt), Lucia Sukennikova, Reka Bízikova (both HK Slovan Duslo Sala), Selma Blazekova (HK Slávia Partizanske) 

Back court players: Alzbeta Pollakova (BV Borussia 09 Dortmund), Martina Skolkova (Cercle Dijon Bourgogne/Fr.), Petra Benuskova (DHK Baník Most), Marianna Rebicova (Iuventa Michalovce), Simona Szarkova, Eva Veselkova, Sofia Demajova (all HK Slovan Duslo Sala), Klaudia Michnova, Andrea Kerteszova (both HK Slavia Partizanske)

TEXT: Tomas Cuncik / ts