09.04.2014, 04:28
Voica quits as Romanian coach

NEWS REPORT: Defeat to Finland the final straw after over two years in charge

Voica quits as Romanian coach

The Romanian Handball Federation has announced it has parted ways with the men’s national team’s coach Eliodor Voica.

The decision came in the light of the defeat against Finland in the Men’s EHF EURO 2016 Qualification play-off round.

Romania had won 32:30 at home, but crashed out after being outplayed by the Nordic side, 32:29, in the second leg.

“In my opinion, this defeat is a big humiliation for Romanian handball. This defeat places us near the bottom of European handball and this is unacceptable.

“We will stay there for three of four years and the federation will need to take measures to change this as soon as possible,” said Voica in an interview for Romanian newspaper ProSport.

Voica has been serving as Romania men’s national team since January 2012, but failed to qualify the team for any major tournament.

“I am confident that Romanian handball can be saved, but it needs some time and another mentality from many of the players. However, I will not resume my duties as a coach”, concluded Voica.

The change was confirmed by the new president of the Romanian Handball Federation, Alexandru Dedu.

“It’s true, Eliodor Voica is no longer the men’s national team coach. He quit on Tuesday,” Dedu said in a statement.

Voica, 41, will continue his coaching career at Știința Bacău, the third place team in the Romanian league.

TEXT: Adrian Costeiu / cor