There are many stats to talk about when looking at the various clashes between Norway and Romania over the years, but only one really matters later today: a Romania win in their Tokyo Handball Qualification 2020 – Women’s Tournament 3 opening game would see Adrian Vasile’s team through to Tokyo 2020 in his very first game in charge.

This would mean Norway crash out and Montenegro, with whom Vasile was assistant coach of until last year, join Romania on the plane for Japan. If Norway beat Romania, either side are not sure of a place in Tokyo as if the Romanians defeat Montenegro, in the final of three matches on Sunday, all teams sit on two points.

Norway vs Romania 19:30 CET

“Now we have a lot tougher road and tougher game [against Romania],” said Norway coach Thorir Hergeirsson after his side lost 28:23 against Montenegro in their opening match yesterday which saw not only a disappointing result, but performance. Despite this, Hergeirsson and his team will be looking to bounce back immediately.

“I look at these two [qualification] games like one game. The ‘first half’ was against Montenegro and the ‘second half’ is against Romania. If we win the ‘second half’ and get plus goals it’s still possible [to qualify] but it will be tough. We will have to bring all our best into the game to have a chance.”

Romania had no need for video analyses ahead of the Norway clash – the whole squad was in the arena watching the fast-paced match, which saw the Montenegro defence disrupt the Norwegian attack and then swap ends to find ways through to goal.

“We must be like a pack of dogs on the court, to play together, to be a wolfpack,” said Vasile ahead of the crunch tie and before the result of Norway vs Montenegro.

“In such a tournament, every player must realise what they are fighting for and bring an extra 20% to the table. This is our strategy and I think it was well understood by everyone. I do not think that the game against Norway is lost before throw-off, but they are the favourites.

“There will be adrenaline and we will fight until the end; we probably will find some energy we did not know existed. At the Women’s EHF EURO 2018, Romania beat Norway by a large margin and Norway were big favourites in that game too.”

That 31:23 victory in France was yet another clash in the epic series of match-ups between Norway and Romania, most recently a 28:20 Norway win on their way to gold at the EHF EURO 2020. In total, the two teams have met each other 67 times, dating back to 1971 according to the Norwegian Handball Federation website, with Norway winning 38 and Romania 22.

“This is the moment for our careers,” said Romania’s living legend Cristina Neagu. “We are confident, we had a great preparation for this tournament. We have to be intelligent, but we need more than energy. We have to be efficient. It is the first time I am happy not to play in front of fans, because I know how loud Montenegrin fans can be. It is an advantage for us. 

“Everybody sees Norway as a favourite, but it is a game on a given day. Anything can happen. But if we lose, it matters how we lose. We can lose by a few goals and still hold chances to progress.”

Norway will be desperate to keep their record of having missed just one Olympic Games since their 1988 debut (Athens 2004) and ever since, have gone on to win six medals, including two golds.

“They have some key players among Europe’s finest including Cristina Neagu and Crina Pintea amongst others,” said Hergeirsson about Romania to ihf.info ahead of the tournament. They are a strong squad, and we have had a lot of good fights with them through the years.”