From July 23 to 25, Pitești will host the “Trofeul Carpați NIRO – U18 Feminin,” which marks the final preparatory test for Romania’s U18 women’s handball team ahead of the World Championship.
The World Championship for U18 female handball players is scheduled from July 29 to August 9, taking place in various cities including Pitești, Mioveni, Craiova, and Râmnicu Vâlcea.
The squad, led by coach Victorina Bora, aims to finalize their strategies during the Trofeul Carpați. Competing alongside Romania will be national teams from Japan, Egypt, and Tunisia.
- Thursday, 19:00 – Romania U18 vs. Tunisia U18
- Friday, 19:00 – Romania U18 vs. Japan U18
- Saturday, 19:00 – Romania U18 vs. Egypt U18
Romania’s U18 Roster for Trofeul Carpați and World Championship
Goalkeepers: Arianna Ardeleanu (Dunărea Brăila), Elena Coșerea-Pîtiu (CSM București), Arianna Ioniță (CSM Corona Brașov).
Backcourt players: Maria Sprîncenatu, Maria Petrache (CSM București), Diana Sălăjan (HC VM Zalău / CNE Rm. Vâlcea), Nicol Almășan (Rapid București), Delia Roșu, Monica Scarlat, Sara Istrate (Dunărea Brăila), Agata Stoican (Corona Brașov).
Wingers: Daria Comendant, Diana Lefter (Dunărea Brăila), Giulya Puiu (SCM Rm. Vâlcea), Maria Rusu (Rapid București / CNE Rm. Vâlcea).
Pivot players: Roberta Manea (Rapid București), Denisa Donache (ACS Olympic RFH), Diana Băiașu (CSM Corona Brașov).
The Trofeul Carpați NIRO is our final assessment before the U18 World Championship and an opportunity for fans to support this generation before their global debut. I am confident that these three days of competition will be immensely beneficial from a sporting perspective. We thank the Pitești Municipality and all local partners for their involvement in organizing this tournament. I invite all handball enthusiasts to support the Romanian team and these young athletes ahead of the year’s most important competition, stated Bogdan Voina, president of FRH.
World Championship Group Stages in Romania
A total of 32 national teams will compete, with Norway notably absent, despite its dominance in senior competitions.
Group A (Craiova): Croatia, France, Egypt, Fiji
Group B (Craiova): Denmark, Czech Republic, South Korea, Mexico
Group C (Mioveni): Spain, Germany, Guinea, Uzbekistan
Group D (Mioveni): Montenegro, Argentina, Netherlands, Portugal
Group E (Pitești): Hungary, Sweden, Tunisia, Canada
Group F (Pitești): Romania, China, Kazakhstan, Uruguay
Group G (Râmnicu Vâlcea): Slovakia, Japan, Brazil, Angola
Group H (Râmnicu Vâlcea): Switzerland, Serbia, Slovenia, Algeria
The top two teams from each preliminary group will advance to the main rounds. Romania is expected to qualify for the next stage, pairing with Group E, where Hungary and Sweden are favorites.
The best two teams from each main group will progress to the quarterfinals.
Romania’s U18 Preliminary Group Matches:
July 29, 18:30 – Romania U18 vs. Uruguay U18
July 30, 18:30 – Romania U18 vs. Kazakhstan U18
August 1, 18:30 – China U18 vs. Romania U18
