What's next for the Romanian national team, after the Women's Handball World Championship » One of the team leaders says: “Goosebumps, believe me”

In the last match of the main group, Romania ended the competition masterfully, crushing success in front of Switzerland, score 36-24. After the match, Lorena Ostase spoke about this World Championship, the inevitable suffering caused by the failure with Hungary, which took Romania out of the competition, but also about what lies ahead for the team, next year's European Championship, hosted by our country, namely the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, from 2028.

The conclusions of Lorena Ostase, at the end of the World Championship

“We can say that we won what was worth winning, as we also expected. It was a game for 9th place, we started a bit hesitant, we didn't know how to take advantage of those fast phases, but in the end both the defense and the attack did their job. The important thing was to come out healthy, the last match is always the hardest, regardless of the opponent.

That's why I'm so glad that I finished healthy, because when you're tired there are things you can't control. I think that bitter taste after the match with Hungary, without asking, can be seen with us, it can be felt. Our game was the one of today and the one of the last stage, it was a strong one. I think these matches teach you and stay there so you don't forget them, to be better. You get up the next day and go to training,” said Lorena Ostase, after the match with Switzerland, for Handbal Mania.

Asked about the dream of participating in the Olympic Games, our player added:

“I want Romania to have a lot of teams at the Olympic Games, but I think yes, the handball team has a plus. I think we can build in these years. It's very difficult, it's very difficult what's happening around us, but the team always comes first. Regardless of the players, Romania must be there. The national team has always had a special energy.”

The bitter taste of the failure with Hungary has not passed

Romania would have had an important chance to qualify for the quarterfinals, if it had passed Hungary, but the “tricolors” failed. That failure, a week away, still hurts.

“I tried not to think about that match with Hungary, I thought that night about all the possible options. I think for us, whatever we think about now, it would hurt us more. Unfortunately, the game was and we lost it.

I wish with all my heart that we get revenge next year, at the Europeans. I think it is necessary for this team to take the step and stop being intimidated by other things or other teams, in the moments when it matters that Romania is there, regardless of the players, the name, and to play the best possible match”Ostase added.

Next comes the European one from Cluj-Napoca

“We're going to play at home with a full house. I watched Holland and believe me I got goosebumps just thinking that next year we can be like that.

Several people from here, from the Rotterdam hall, have already told us that they will come next year with us to Cluj. You are very proud to hear something like that”, concluded the Romanian pivot.

VIDEO with one of the goals scored by Lorena Ostase with Switzerland

Mission accomplished, real progress!

Romania will finish the tournament in 9th place, the best performance since the bronze won in 2015. And a progress that gives confidence with a view to qualifying for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles:

• CM 2021 – 13

• Euro 2022 – 12

• CM 2023 – 12

• Euro 2023 – 11

• CM 2025 – 9

Next year, with European groups in Cluj-Napoca and Oradea, the “tricolore” are bound to continue their climb. Especially since the tournament is a qualification criterion for the Olympic Games.