The Romanian national team made its debut with a defeat at the European Women’s Handball Championship, but the performance of the tricolors in the match against the Netherlands (28-29) was brave. Kristina Nyagu and Krina Printja gave their first reaction after the duel in Skopje.

Cristina Nyagu believes that Romania can reach the knockout stage

Nyagu was blocked by the opposition throughout the game and scored only three goals, but she admitted that she was satisfied with the team’s performance and said that Romania can achieve good results in this final tournament.

“I think I was very close and I want to congratulate my colleagues because we have a very young team with little experience. However, we fought like crazy today and I think we could have taken the points in the end. To be honest, I think it’s also a matter of luck because we conceded, they scored and that’s the story. It was a one-goal lead for them, but it could easily have been a one-goal lead for us or a draw.

The way of judging was also a bit strange for me, I didn’t understand much, so we tried to adapt. But I think in the end I did a good job. To be honest, I’m proud of what we did, we didn’t get a single point, but it’s the first game and if we play like that, we have a chance to go into the playoffs and do some good things there. I am very proud that there are so many fans in the hall, we felt at home” – Christina Nyaguquoted by News.ro.

Krina Pintya, dissatisfied with the refereeing: “I don’t know how to hold on in the half circle”

Crina Pintja believes that Romania deserved to get more from the match against the Netherlands. The pivot also explained why she believes that the referees are “hunting” for her, and talked about the bad luck that has haunted the national team in recent years.

“Romania deserved a draw for the way they played! We did everything we could, I’m proud of the team, the way we fought. I really believe in the girls, especially since there were many debutantes at this European Championship. I really liked their attitude and the fact that we came back from 5 down. That says a lot about us with less than 15 minutes to go. I feel very disappointed and what is happening seems unfair. In vain now, lost!

I don’t know what to do, I don’t know how to stay in the half circle. Why do such situations happen? I sit with my hands up, tried to change the game so that they would stop charging. With Holland, they took three goals from my goal, gave me three attacking fouls just for footwork. It is very unpleasant to say such things. I look at the rest of the midgets, all the teams, their midgets are holding, but I also get a two-minute disqualification because the opponent just threw himself to the ground. I can’t do these things, I can’t pretend and watch, I suffer too.

I have been in the national team since 2012 and have seen the Romanian team many times. I want us to have a great result. Every year we play well, we grow, we grow, we grow, but we are not where we want to be. I think it’s a matter of chance, luck. Last year we lost to the Netherlands, also by one goal. Now the same. It also depends on luck, and to be honest, luck is not on our side” – Crina Pinteareports Eurosport.

CE women’s handball, program of group C

France vs North Macedonia 24-14

Netherlands vs Romania 29-28

• Monday, November 7

19:00: North Macedonia – Netherlands

21:30: Romania – France

• Wednesday, November 9

19:00: North Macedonia – Romania

21:30: France – Netherlands.

Romania’s matches will be broadcast in LiveTEXT format on HotNews.ro.

Know:

• The top three teams from each group will advance to the main groups (November 10-16), a stage of the competition where they will enter only on points gained against other qualified teams.

• The national teams occupying the first two places in the Main Groups will meet in the semi-finals (1st place in GP1 vs. 2nd place in GP2 / 2nd place in GP1 vs. 1st place in GP2).

• The medal matches will take place on November 20, 2022.

• Selector Florentin Pera said that the task of the tricolor team is to get into the main groups.

• Cristina Nyagu, the captain of the tricolors, started the European competition as the top scorer, scoring 264 goals during the tournaments in which she participated.

• In the CE 2020 edition, Romania ranked 12th.

The Romanian team consists of 18 players: Yuliya Dumanska, Dachiana Khosu, Diana Chuke – goalkeepers; Alexandra Badea, Bianca Bazaliou, Elisa Bucheski, Nicoleta Dinka, Sorina Grozav, Alexandra Dindiligan, Krina Pintea, Lorena Ostase, Laura Pristavica, Sonia Seraficanou, Andrea Tirle, Cristina Nyagu (capt.), Diana Lixandrou, Corina Lupei and Michaela Mihai .