The Republic of Moldova have been a constant presence at the IHF Men’s Emerging Nations Championship, with the current edition being the fourth time when they are at the start, missing out only in 2017.

While their first apperance, in the maiden edition of the competition, saw their best result, the sixth place, the next two appearances, in 2017 and 2023, brought the Republic of Moldova the ninth place in the final standings each time.

Now, with another young team, the emerging European side is aiming to do better and slowly create a platform for players to become better and better. In the current squad, coach Nicolai Gomeniuc is relying on young players, with some older ones taking the roles of mentors.

In fact, from the 14 players in the Moldova roster, seven are teenagers, with three 16 year olds and three 17 year olds in the squad. The most experienced players for the Republic of Moldova are right back Roman Zacaciurin, who spent several years in neighbouring Romania, and goalkeeper Ion Saharnean.

Saharnean, 27, is the second oldest player in the Republic of Moldova team for the 2025 IHF Men’s Emerging Nations Championship. He started his career in one of the most successful teams in Moldova, PGU-Kartina TV Tiraspol. Then he moved to… Japan, where he spent one year at Golden Wolves Fukuoka. 

And since January 2025, he has been playing in Lithuania, at RK Dragunas Klaipeda.

 “I started playing handball in the fifth grade of school, since I studied in a sports class, where the focus were sports. When I first came to training, I really liked handball for its speed and dynamics, after which I continued to play, because it was really interesting,” says Saharnean.

Between 2015 and 2021, Saharnean featured in the Tiraspol squad in the EHF Cup or EHF Challenge Cup, and earned more and more experience, as well as playing for the Republic of Moldova national teams in the younger age categories, before finally making his debut in the senior squad.

“I became better each time thanks to hard training, help and tips from coaches and, of course, relying on the advice of more experienced players. I always watched the games of the first team when I was younger and tried to follow the example of experienced goalkeepers,” says the Moldova goalkeeper.

He was not part of the squad in the previous appearances of the Republic of Moldova in the IHF Men’s Emerging Nations Championship, but quickly established himself as a player to watch here, in the current edition, delivering some fantastic performances.

In the 33:21 win against Azerbaijan, Saharnean finished the match with 21 saves and a 57% saving efficiency, being named the “Player of the Match”. In the second match, Moldova lost against the United States of America, 26:42, but the goalkeeper still saved 11 shots, for a 27% saving efficiency.

Therefore, he will surely be ranked between the top goalkeepers in this competition, already lightning up the numbers, as he will be surely between the top three goalkeepers in number of saves after the second matchday of the preliminary round.

What helps him shine? For starters, he points to the experience in the Japanese league, where he played for Golden Wolves Fukuoka. In fact, Japan had plenty of players both at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and at the 2025 IHF Men’s World Championship featuring in the domestic league, while superstar Luc Abalo, a former world and Olympic champion, also finished his career in Japan.

“It was an invaluable experience for me, as there are many high-class players in the Japanese championship, thanks to whom I learned a lot and continue to improve,” says Saharnean.

But how can a Moldovan player travel all across the world to end up playing for a Japanese team?

“Of course, it was difficult to adapt to Japan, But thanks to the club and the management, I adapted quickly. I was very impressed by the country, their customs, the way they were living their life. It is something I will keep with me all my life,” adds the 27-year-old goalkeeper.

Back to Bulgaria 2025, and the Republic of Moldova face a must-win match against Nigeria in order to progress to the semi-finals of the competition. Win here and they will be sure of their best-ever finish at the IHF Men’s Emerging Nations Championship, still in the fight for a medal.

But for Saharnean, it is not only about results, it is about creating a new generation for Moldovan handball, which could help the team progress in the future and secure better results. 

“I try to prompt and point out the mistakes of young players so that they make as few as possible,” says Saharnean about his role in the grand scheme of things for the Republic of Moldova team.