The word on which the selector Ovidiu Mihăilă insisted, less than 48 hours before the debut at the World Handball Championship

• Reporter Adrian Jitea and photojournalist Ionuț Iordache will be in Rotterdam with the Romanian national team and will transmit all the information and images that matter;
• The final tournament is scheduled between November 26 and December 14, 2025, in the Netherlands and Germany. Romania will play all matches in Rotterdam.

Ovidiu Mihăilă took over the position of selector less than two months before the final tournament. He also co-opted Iulia Curea, the interim coach from CSM Bucharest, into the staff. When leaving for Rotterdam, the two talked about their expectations for the World Cup.

Ovidiu Mihăilă insists: “Responsibility!”

“I can talk about everything we have done together this month. First of all, we have progressed in terms of confidence and maturity. I have seen this progress, I hope that day by day we will be more responsible. All these things give us the confidence to handle difficult or pleasant situations during the game.

Experienced players have shown their maturity in recent European competitions, they have had very good developments. Very young players, also involved in these competitions, have the ability to play handball at a good level. Their dynamic has increased a lot, especially thanks to the European games. It forces you to be at this level!

I believe that the responsibility it matters a lot. The motivation will definitely be there. I know them, they want them very much. Balance gives you inner peace. All these elements are part of the preparation process for the upcoming games,” Mihăilă told FRH.

I found a good atmosphere, I talked to everyone individually, I had individual discussions and positive feedback. Their mental state is very good, they are eager to go to the World Cup.

If we are talking strictly about extremes, I want to start from the defensive side. A lot of activity is needed, for our wingers to have footwork, follow the ball and go early on the counterattack. The modern game needs easily scored goals. Then, positionally, we work a lot on entering the ball. They need to get into circulation and be prepared to be introduced into the team's game

– Iulia Curea, second coach of the Romanian national team

Romania's schedule for the 2025 World Championship

• November 27, 19:00 » Romania – Croatia
• November 29, 19:00 » Romania – Japan
• December 1, 21:30 » Denmark – Romania

Romania's team for the World Championship

• Goalkeepers: Iulia Dumanska (Minaur), Bianca Curmentă (Corona Brașov), Elena Șerban (Danurea Brăila)
• Far right: Sonia Seraficeanu (Gloria Bistrița), Mihaela Mihai (CSM Bucharest)
• Inter right: Alicia Gogîrla (SCM Craiova)
• Coordinators: Rebeca Necula (Rm. Vâlcea), Alisia Boiciuc (Corona Brașov), Andreea Popa (Brăila Danube), Elena Roșu (Brăila Danube), Cristina Laslo (Gloria Bistrița)
• Pivots: Lorena Ostase (Gloria Bistrita), Sonia Vasiliu (Slatina), Asma Elghaoui (Rm. Vâlcea)
• Left Integers: Sorina Grozav (Corona Brașov), Maryia Skrobic (Rapid)
• Far left: Gabriela Dumitrascu (Corona Brașov), Eva Kerekes (Gloria Bistrița)