A hand legend. Romania’s Cristina Neagu, one of the greatest players in this sport, blocks the road to Les Bleues on Monday (8:30 p.m.) for their second match in the first round of Euro-2022.
A success against Romania would guarantee them qualification for the main round, already well underway after their defensive entry against North Macedonia on Saturday (24-14). Before even completing this preliminary round on Wednesday (8:30 p.m.) against the Netherlands.
But the format of the tournament, which retains the results of the first round, makes victory almost obligatory. “We know the formula for the Euro and missteps are not allowed, summarizes captain Estelle Nze Minko. Our goals are higher than the second round. To achieve them, we must arrive with the maximum points in the main round and therefore win the most matches in the first round.»
After its tight setback against the Netherlands (29-28), Romania is already in a hurry. “Neagu did not have a great match (3/11 in shooting, editor’s note), that necessarily penalizes his team“, observes the coach of the Blue Olivier Krumbholz.
Designated four times the best player in the world (2010, 2015, 2016 and 2018), the 34-year-old Bucharester has already bullied the Blues, eliminated in the quarter-finals of their World Cup-2007 at home (34-31 ap).
«I remember it and I’m not likely to forget it, comments Olivier Krumbholz. She was a kid coming out of juniors. And to be honest with you, we hadn’t particularly studied it, certainly one of our mistakes.The left-back piled up eight goals.
«This is where she appeared, remembers Siraba Dembélé, on the floor that day. She had played competition very little, we didn’t know her at all. She hurt us very badly, she was the one who eliminated us.»
The ex-captain of Les Bleues, retired from the selection, has been rubbing shoulders with him since 2020 at CSM Bucharest. “Clearly, of all the players I have come across, she is one of the best. She is complete, she knows how to do everything“, she assures.
Part of the French handball players at Euro-2022, Grace Zaadi, who arrived in the Romanian capital this summer, confirms: “I discovered the extent of his talent. I felt like it was just a nine-yard player, shooting. Not at all, she’s a girl who smells of handball, intelligent in the game, in the races, in the positions. He is clearly a legend of our sport.»
His connection with the imposing pivot Crina Pintea (1.92 meters), back at CSM after a round trip to Gyor, promises to be the great danger.
«Three things are formidable in this team, above the rest: Neagu, Pintea, and the Neagu-Pintea relationshipsums up Olivier Krumbholz.
«She runs as fast as a girl half her height“Describes Estelle Nze Minko who played last season with her in Gyor. “She catches balloons higher than us by raising her arms and jumping at the same time. She’s a real athlete with a rather unusual size for women’s handball.»
An anecdote from Siraba Dembélé summarizes her extraordinary physique. “When I arrived in Bucharest, at the VMA (maximum aerobic speed) test, she was at wing level.»
«It’s very difficult to defend against her. Once she has the position, it’s dead because she catches her balloons and then she is very skilful at the shoot.»
«We will have to find ways to annoy him, announces + ENM +. Trying to bother her with her arms, to make mistakes before she has the ball.»