Article by Ionuţ Iordache, Adrian Jitea – Published Saturday, November 29, 2025, 10:08 / Updated Saturday, November 29, 2025 10:08
Estavana Polman (33 years old) crossed the borders of handball in the Netherlands. The legal center at Rapid, at least until the end of the current season, revealed the involvement in a major project in the United States of America. At the end the victory with Argentina, 33-24, Polman held a dialogue with GSP reporters present in Amsterdam.
Polman was among the protagonists of the greatest performance in the history of Dutch handball, the world title won in 2019. Legitimated to Rapid from 2022, Estavana announced her retirement from the national team at the end of the ongoing World Championship.
Estavana Polman is waiting for a Holland – Romania duel
Rotterdam Ahoy was full at the Netherlands – Argentina match, 9000 fans who impressed Estavana Polman. With remarkable patience, he sat for more than 40 minutes at the interviews, talked to every reporter from the Dutch publications, and then answered our questions with a smile.
“When your fans, 9000 people, come to the same place it's incredible. It was cool! The first match in the tournament is always more chaotic, but it was great to play in this hall and now I want more.” Polman told GSP.
Asked about a possible duel against her teammate from Rapid, Maryia Skrobic, Estavana got excited.
That would be nice! But I saw it! I think they had practice before us on Wednesday. I gave him a big hug, wished him good luck and hope to meet up somewhere on the tour. That would mean we've both come a long way
– Estavana Polman
Romania and the Netherlands can meet in the quarter-finals or in a possible fight for medals, in the big or small final.
Polman planned his retirement: 'Perfect timing'
The same decision was made by Lois Abbingh, the best scorer in the history of the competition. The two hope to finish in style with another medal, especially since they will be playing all their matches at home in Rotterdam.
“I couldn't have wished for a more beautiful ending. I did the math the moment I saw that the tournament was being held in the Netherlands. I'm 33 years old, it's perfect, in front of the fans. I think it's great that I can share this moment with Lois. We started together, we won everything together, now we're saying goodbye together. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it,” said Polman, visibly emotional, according to sportnieuws.nl.
Polman, in the footsteps of David Beckham
Estavana will continue to play on two fronts with Rapid, in the “Liga Florir” and the European League, but is enjoying the free time he will have during the international breaks. He also has a major project in the works.
It's great for the family, we can do a lot together. I want to stay connected to handball. I am involved in a project in America, they want to promote handball, to set up their own league. I will be among the ambassadors for the next three years. Just like Beckham did for football
– Estavana Polman
In an attempt to build two competitive national teams by the time of the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, the Americans began to invest in handball. The men's team from LA attracted names such as Viran Morros, Mohsen Babasafari, Roman Zacaciurin to the project.
Polman is a star!
Estavana Polman and Rafael van der Vaart form one of the most beloved couples in the Netherlands. The popularity of the game coordinator from Rapid was felt live by the GSP reporters present in Rotterdam Ahoy at the match between the Netherlands and Argentina, the first in group E of the World Championship. Her entrance into the arena recorded a decibel record.
Polman also flirted with television in his native country. The role he had in the third season of the comedy show “Better late than never” was rewarded with several nominations in the film and TV galas in the Netherlands.
