04.12.2024, 12:00
Flash quotes: 4 December

FLASH QUOTES: Comments from players and coaches at media calls on Wednesday, ahead of the start of the main round

DEBRECEN/VIENNA - Comments from Denmark head coach and left wing Emma Friis (both DEN), Switzerland head coach Knut Ove Joa (NOR) and goalkeeper Lea Schüpbach (SUI), and Slovenia head coach Dragan Adžic (MNE) and line player Nataša Ljepoja (SLO) at a media call in Vienna; and Montenegro head coach Suzana Lazovic, centre back Itana Grbic and right back Tanja Ivanovic (all MNE), and Hungary head coach Vlagyimir Golovin and left wing Gréta Márton (both HUN) at media calls in Debrecen on Wednesday.

DENMARK

Jesper Jensen (DEN) – head coach

On how they are feeling:

“We don't know yet where we actually are at the moment because I think in the preliminary round we changed a lot, we tried to keep the energy in our batteries and make sure that we had a lot of energy for the rest of the tournament.

“We now know that the main round is going to be very tough with four very strong opponents. Therefore, we tried to save some energy and I think that we succeeded in.”

On playing against Norway at the start of main round:

“We knew we are going to face them anyway, so let’s just do it in match number one. Both teams have very strong set ups around the team, and it’s good to save energy and take care of ourselves during the long tournaments.

“If we meet Norway during match number four or match number seven, it doesn’t matter, they’ll still be strong. So let’s take them tomorrow, and see how much we can put a fight up.

“I think the team who knows how to handle the situation coming from a light preliminary round and then into the first very hard match where things have consequences if you don’t make it, they will have a small advantage tomorrow.”

Emma Friis (DEN) - left wing

On the preliminary round:

“I'm really satisfied with the performance. I'm happy that everybody was on the court and had a good feeling with the atmosphere and the spectators at the at the arena. Everybody on our team had a really good experience in Switzerland and we feel ready to start into the main round.”

On the game against Norway:

“It's a really tough match and we know each other really well. So we know that it's about the details which will kind of determine who will win tomorrow. We can also play a little bit free because it's the first game out of four and nothing is settled yet. So I think we just want to, be at our best tomorrow and do what we have to do to beat Norway.”

On what could be the key against Norway:

“Our defence will be very crucial. We know at what kind of level we need to be able to play with Norway. Of course, it will be important to close Henny Reistad. We all just need to be at 100 per cent to have power to do whet we know we must.”

SWITZERLAND

Knut Ove Joa (NOR) – head coach

On qualifying for the main round:

“Our main goal at this competition was to win against the Faroe Islands, being in the main round was a dream. So for us, being here, is a dream come true. We are preparing for the first game against Germany. I look forward meeting with them because I haven't played against them before.”

On the game against Germany:

“I have already seen something little about them and some of the players also know them from before. We have travelled today, it's intensive schedule but now we will get settled in the hotel, get some rest to restore energy and try to prepare as best as we can for tomorrow.”

On what could be the key:

“I believe in them (my players) for tomorrow like I did in other matches. For us, it's about the game plan and how they play and then when we found out find out how they play, but we'll also try to get our tactics. We will play the way we want to play, our play, so we have to see how it will turn out.”

Lea Schüpbach (SUI) - goalkeeper

On the feeling being in Vienna.

“Just amazing. Yesterday (Tuesday), we really enjoyed the whole time in the hall with the fans and celebrating with them this success. I am super happy to be part of the main round and it feels amazing.”

On the game against Germany:

“The game against Germany will be special for some of us — many of us play or have played in Germany, and we know a lot of players. I will also meet with my teammate (Julia Behnke).

“We are preparing, or at least will try to prepare as best as we can. Just like we did in the last games. We had a tough day, travelled to Vienna so we need to take some rest and use this evening to start preparing for the game tomorrow.

“We just have to focus on ourselves. We have to do what we have done before and fight as a team. I'm super positive that we can show great play. As we know each other it we have to see if it's a good or bad thing, but I see it as a chance to see where we are and just to have fun and enjoy.”

SLOVENIA

Dragan Adžic (MNE) – head coach, Slovenia

On qualifying for the main round:

“It is a huge success. I don't know whether we ever had a situation in handball that a team changed 12 players and went to the next major competition and did what we did. I am proud of my girls, they have phenomenal energy from the day one.

“When we came together for the first time after the Olympics who could feel the synergy, that we have one common goal. I am thankful to have such team.”

On the game against the Netherlands:

“All four teams in main round are amazing teams. The Netherlands are one of the top ones and it will be very tough to play against them. They will make us give our maximum. We are here to gain experience and we should not have big expectations. Of course, we will try to impose our way of play, and try to keep the slower rhythm. They are absolute favourites.

“The Netherlands have a strong team as they showed in the preliminary round. For us it is the most important thing to play as best as we can and that the girls learn from those minutes against top team. We should also take to our advantage the pressure those teams have, as they need to deliver, and push them. We are relaxed and confident after progressing further.”

On the young players in the team:

“We already had our first training in Vienna and you could feel the girls are more relaxed and started to enjoy everything, now that we got to the main round.

“I believe they are ready to give even more on the court as this result is already a big deal — to have a chance to play against top teams like the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany, and Switzerland. We need that experience for the upcoming challenges.”

Nataša Ljepoja (SLO) - line player

On the Slovenian team:

“We are completely new team and we are so satisfied with the way we play. Even when we had our first gathering during the EHF team week, we were surprised how good we look on the court and how everything started to fit into its place very quickly. In the preliminary round, we have showed that this team has made good progress.”

On the game against the Netherlands:

“All four games, not only the one against the Netherlands, will be tough. We will show our fighting spirit and what we can do. We have good defence and no one scored high number of goals against us, except much experienced Norway.”

On the Netherlands' strengths:

“They have great players on every position – their three back court players are outstanding while their wing players are playing in top European clubs. We need to stop their fats pace, their fast break and second wave fast break. So we need to be focused not to lose too many balls, make mistakes and allow them to score easily.”

MONTENEGRO

Suzana Lazovic (MNE) – head coach

On her team’s performance so far:

“Of course I’m satisfied, we played three matches and had three wins, that’s good for our mentality and for the main round. I think that in this championship we have the hardest group.

“Of course, everything that happened is in the past, this is sports, and now we are only focused and concentrated on the next match against Hungary, and after this one, France, Poland and Sweden. Step by step, we need to follow our dream, we need to be better and at the end of this phase we will see.”

On how they will prepare for two matches in two days:

“Montenegro have a lot of experience playing against Hungary and France, they are some of the leaders in this championship and it’s a big possibility that both teams will fight for the medal.

“But Montenegro never give up, against anyone, we have heart and character and I am sure no other teams in the EURO have this heart and character.”

On the other main round matches:

“Every opponent that comes from the preliminary round is not a bad team, they are here with a reason. What is interesting is that there are four different playing systems. But I’m sure that we can find a key point and we can play how we want.”

Itana Grbic (MNE) – centre back

On how satisfied she is with the team’s performance so far:

“I am really proud of how we performed in these three games, I think the first goal was to get the maximum points for the next round, because that is really important, and we did it. We knew it would be tough, but I also think that we showed that we were the best team in the group.”

On the match against Hungary:

“We just cannot wait for the game because I know, as I played in Hungary, that the Hungarian fans are just crazy for handball, so I think it will be an early Christmas party for all of us tomorrow evening.

“Whoever loves handball should watch tomorrow, because I think that’s a game we’ll really enjoy. For me, Hungary was never more focused and ready for something big, I’ve never seen them that ready, but we’ll see how it will be tomorrow.”

On the other main round matches:

“I think that in the European championship you can never be relaxed, because you know that you will not meet any bad teams, they all want to go to Vienna. I think that we will go step by step, but it’s quite hard because Montenegro will have two big games in less than 24 hours, against Hungary and then France.

“We will try first to play tomorrow and take two points, then to recover as fast as we can for France. It will be tough of course, for us and for everybody. It’s not a realistic schedule, because they need to think more about the players, it’s really not normal to play two big games in less than 24 hours, but it is what it is, we will try to stay focused on our job and play as best as we can.”

Tanja Ivanovic (MNE) – right back

On how satisfied she is with Montenegro’s performance so far:

“I’m so happy and proud of my team, we fought and gave everything on the court and in the end it was good for us, we won and we will go to the next round.”

On the next match against Hungary:

“I expect a really tough and interesting game and an arena full of fans, so I know it will be difficult. But I believe in our team, our defence and I know if we give everything, the result will come.”

On their chances of reaching the semi-finals:

“It’s good that we finished the preliminary round with three wins. Now I expect harder matches and it will be tough. I expect a good fight and that every game will be hard for us.”

HUNGARY

Vlagyimir Golovin (HUN) – head coach

On the match against Montenegro:

"The most important thing is that Montenegro has a really tough and aggressive defence and for us in attack, it will be very important to avoid these mistakes and go in excessive and aggressive duels. In defence, we should focus on stealing balls and scoring easy goals, and that's our main goal for the match against Montenegro."

On the matches in the main round:

"The home crowd could give us extra motivation and help in the main round but in the main round there are other teams that are also just as good as us or maybe even better, but it will depend a lot on how we respond on the court. Let's hope that on a daily basis, we will be better and we can show our best."

Gréta Márton (HUN) – left wing

On the match against Montenegro:

"We are expecting a really tough game with aggressivity and a lot of fight and spirit. I think we will need our fans even more now because I think these games are going to be really hard, so we will need all of our energy."

On their chances of reaching the semi-finals:

"We are really happy to be in the main ground. It's really an amazing feeling. I think we are getting more and more confident, but it's not right or easy to say that we have a really good chance because we meet amazing teams. We will just give our best and we will fight like hell."

On Hungary's biggest quality:

"We have a really strong and young spirit in our team, but we also have experienced players who can help a lot. So, we are a really good mix."

TEXT: European Handball Federation