In the first main round game, the DHB women could take a big step towards the knockout phase. Romania will be a difficult task – with or without superstar Cristina Neagu.
Undefeated in the preliminary round, with four points to zero in the main round – the DHB women’s starting position is good, their self-confidence is high. “I feel an incredible greed. And we continue to ride the wave,” says national coach Markus Gaugisch. The next ride: Romania (live ticker at sportschau.de on Thursday from 6 p.m.).
Romania with or without Neagu?
Cristina Neagu is the big Romanian superstar. The four-time world handball player is one, if not the best player of the past decade. “Neagu is dangerous in every situation,” warns Emily Bölk, “she is very strong from the back, can shoot from ten or twelve meters and is still very variable when it comes to assists.” In particular, her interaction with pivot Crina Pintea is difficult to defend.
However, we haven’t seen that yet at this World Cup. In the preliminary round, Neagu sat in the stands and was rested after an injury. There is no clear sign that she will play in the game against Germany. It is also unclear whether their failure would really be an advantage for Germany.
Cristina Neagu is the big star in the Romanian team.
“I think Romania becomes a little more unpredictable as soon as she’s not on the field,” says Bölk. The Romanians are well-coordinated and the constellation has been together for a long time. With Neagu, the Romanian game is very much geared towards the world star; without her, “other players have more freedom to showcase their qualities.”
To the live ticker: Germany versus Romania arrow right Women’s Handball World Cup: The 1st matchday of the main round arrow right
Romania’s last chance
“I believe that she will play against us. That’s why she’s here,” Gaugisch is sure. Romania moves into the main round with two minus points. In the fight for group victory, they lost to the strong Danes, the favorites for the title. “Romania will do everything they can to still have a chance of reaching the quarter-finals. And for them it’s also about the Olympic ticket,” said Bölk, “Neagu will certainly be on the table.”
For the Romanian superstar, it is the last opportunity to take part in the Olympic Games: to secure a place in the qualifying tournament for 2024, you have to finish in the top seven. The world champions or the best team not yet seeded qualify directly.
Already qualified are France as hosts of the Olympic Games, Norway as the current European champions, South Korea, Angola and Brazil.
Build on performance
Emily Bölk and Markus Gaugisch are convinced that they can overcome the hurdle of Romania on the way there. “If we perform like we did against Poland, then we can overrun them forward with a strong defense and fast-paced game,” said Bölk.
If you succeed, you can secure a place in the quarter-finals in the following game against Serbia. “We’re now approaching the two games with 100 percent,” says Gaugisch, “and then we’ll have the main round final against Denmark in the full hall. But of course it’ll be more fun if we’ve won two games by then.”
