Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published Friday, April 17, 2026 8:49 p.m. / Updated Friday, April 17, 2026 10:15 p.m.
Rapid announced through an official statement that the Dutch Estavana Polman (33 years old) will retire from handball at the end of the season.
Estavana Polman arrived at Rapid in the 2022-2023 season and scored on a conveyor belt for the Bucharest team: 155 goals in the 4 years spent at the Giulești team.
The official press release from CS Rapid: “Thank you, Estavana Polman!”
“Thank you, Estavana Polman!
There are moments that transcend the field of play, and Estavana's arrival at Rapid in 2022 was one of them. After 4 seasons in which he fought with his heart for our colors, the time has come to celebrate a phenomenal career that ends at home, in Giulesti, on May 23, on the occasion of the last match of the current edition of the MOL Flower League.
Estavana was not just a sound transfer, but the spark that brought Dutch magic to Romanian handball. We will always remember her vision and decisive goals, her magical passes and undeniable leadership spirit, the pure joy with which she inspired the little handball players in the academy.
Beyond the stats, Estavana embraced the spirit of the Rapid with a rare naturalness.
Thank you for every second of the show and for choosing to write the last chapters of your career with us. Giulești will always be your home. Good luck in everything that follows, Estavana!”, the club from Giulesti sent on social networks.
Estavana Polman: “May 23rd, the last ball! Be there!”
Estavana also sent a message. She asks the fans to be present at the last match of her career, on May 23, at home, against Minaur Baia Mare. Most likely, if the multipurpose hall is free, the Giulești club will organize a special event. Polman will stay close to handball as an ambassador for the Los Angeles Olympics.
Friends, ready, the time has come! At the end of the season I will retire from professional handball. I want to thank everyone who has been a part of this beautiful journey. I made many friends, I traveled the world. Handball made me the player I am today. Dreams come true. They are grateful. On the 23rd of May I'm playing my last match, I hope everyone will come and see me, for one last party
– Estavana Polman
Estavana Polman retired in 2025 from the Dutch national team after the World Handball Championship. Also, Estavana Polman is a real star in world handball: the Dutch player is the most followed handball player on Instagram, with 298,000 followers. Beyond sporting qualities, having an important role in the world title won in 2019, Estavana was also a TV star, she had her own show. And the relationship with Rafael van der Vaart, world-famous footballer, contributed.
