“I chose to be discreet”

Ashley Davis29/11/2025

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Article by Ionuţ Iordache, Adrian Jitea – Published Friday, November 28, 2025 23:05 / Updated Friday, November 28, 2025 23:52

Adriana Nechita (42 years old), one of the most important extremes in Romania's recent history, gave an interview to Gazeta Sporturilor. He talked about the great achievements of his career, revealed how the world of handball is seen from the outside and analyzed the debut of the “tricolors” at the World Championship, the 33-24 triumph over Croatia.

Reporter Adrian Jitea and photojournalist Ionuț Iordache are in Rotterdam with the Romanian national team and transmit all the information and images that matter

Ada Nechita was one of Romania's graceful extremes. He won two major medals in his 130 matches at the national level, bronze at the 2015 World Cup and a 3rd place at Euro 2010.

In the meantime, he disappeared from the Romanian sports landscape and devoted himself to family life. In a rare appearance, on the occasion of the World Championship, Nechita presents her vision of current handball.

Ada Nechita: “I am no longer directly involved in handball, but it remains a part of me”

– Ada, you have been a discreet presence in the media in recent years. Did you stay involved in handball or just as a fan?
– I chose to be discreet because I felt the need for a quieter period, dedicated to me and my family. During all this time I did things that, as an athlete, I did not have time to experience. I am no longer directly involved in handball, but it remains a part of me. I follow everything that happens, go to matches when I have the chance and keep in touch with the people I love in handball.

– Speaking of the immortal connection with handball, you found it again at “Gala Neagu”. How was the event?
– The gala was absolutely special. It was exciting. The full hall, the energy of the audience, the farewell with dear people… I felt again the vibration that accompanied my entire career.

Ada Nechita at the Neagu Gala / PHOTO: Cristi Preda (GSP.ro)

– Many of the team members who wrote history in 2015, Romania's last medal at a World Cup, were present at the event. How was the retrieval? Have you kept in touch during this time?
– Finding it was as if no years had passed. Sure, life has taken us in different directions, but the bond formed then remains. I haven't seen many of my former colleagues for years, but there are also girls I talk to constantly and see each other. The fact that we all saw each other again, in such a beautiful context, was another confirmation of the bond between us.

– What was special about that generation? Can you think of a defining moment that speaks to your relationship?
– Our generation was built on a lot of work and discipline. We knew each other in detail, after so many years together, we instinctively knew what the other liked and disliked, where we could support each other and where we could pull more for the team. A moment that sticks deep in my heart is from the World Championship in 2015. It's not a funny memory, but one that defines us. We had started the tournament poorly, the evolution and results were not what we expected. At one point, only we girls gathered in a meeting where we talked with the soul on the table. Each said what presses her, what hurts her, what motivates her. A lot was said and we left the room united in a different way, with a clarity and a strength that we had not felt before. From the next day everything changed. I won match after match and lived an incredible story that ended with the bronze medal. It was magical! It was about us.

318 goalsAdriana Nechita succeeded for the first representative, wearing the national team shirt 130 times

– How do you see the situation of Romanian handball in recent years? Statistics show that we only have about 8,000 practitioners left in the country. What would be the main problems, do you see any solutions?
– The situation of Romanian handball in recent years reflects a wider problem: we are very bad in most sports, not only in handball! And everything starts at the level of children. I also say this from experience as a parent. The solution starts from the bottom: investment in structures, in coaches, in programs that attract children to sports and keep them there! If we don't build from the bottom up, if we don't take care of the children, where will the big results come from?!

– We have a young and promising generation even now. He will go to the World Cup with a new coach, changed two months before the tournament. How does such a decision affect the team?
– Of course such a late change is delicate. But let's look at the positive side, especially since the World Championship has started. Change can bring a new impetus, a different energy, just what a team sometimes needs. I am very happy for Iulia Curea, for the fact that she is there and has this chance. I sincerely hope they get a good result. I am with them!

– Do you see potential in the current group of girls?
– We have young players with great potential. I really liked the match against Croatia, they played with heart and courage. If they stay united and confident, they can achieve great things in this championship.

– The extremists summoned to the last actions are very young. Does experience matter more in this job than in others?
– Experience helps, but the courage of youth can make the difference. As we saw in last night's game, the girls did wonderfully. With confidence and continuity they can grow quickly.

191 goalsAdriana Nechita scored in her career, in the Champions League, in 6 seasons for Oltchim and 3 for HCM Baia Mare

– Did you notice someone in particular? Not necessarily from the extremes, from the whole lot. Someone with potential, someone who has the makings of a leader…
– I saw players with potential, but what I liked the most is the team spirit they have. In tough matches, it is this spirit that makes the difference, not necessarily a single leader. If they stick together and support each other, their collective strength may be this generation's greatest asset.

– Any advice for girls of the current generation?
– To play with heart and believe in them, regardless of the opponent or the moment. I'm with them and I want them to experience a tournament that they can be really proud of, a tournament where they feel like they gave it their all. Come on Romania!

VIDEO. Handball GSP » Oana Manea analyzed Romania's victorious debut at the World Championship

Romania's squad 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)