What are the Tokyo 2020 women’s teams up to?

09 Jul. 2021

What are the Tokyo 2020 women’s teams up to?

With the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 just around the corner, we take a stroll through final team preparations before the women’s competition throws off on 25 July.

Netherlands

What are they doing? Hard preparation before the Olympic Games. The Netherlands had two training camps in Papendal that included two friendly games, a win against Russia (ROC at the Olympic Games) and a loss against Sweden. They will travel to Japan on 15 July, with a nine-day training camp in Chiba, before another friendly game against the Russian team. 

Pre-Olympic fixtures: Netherlands vs Russia 30:29 (2 July, in Den Bosch, Netherlands), Netherlands vs Sweden 23:28 (4 July in Den Bosch, Netherlands), Netherlands vs Russia (20 July, in Chiba, Japan)

What are the main takes before the Olympic Games? How will they cope with the plethora of injuries? The MVP of the IHF Women’s World Championship in Japan 2019, back Estavana Polman, will miss the Olympic Games due to a knee injury. Centre back Delaila Amega suffered a knee injury on 15 June and will also miss the tournament, as well as Nikita van der Vliet and Jessie Kramer. The Dutch side still has plenty of talent, though, including centre back Nycke Groot, who came out of international retirement for this tournament.

What opponents will they face? The Netherlands are in Group A, alongside Montenegro, Norway, Japan, Republic of Korea and Angola.

Montenegro

What are they doing? Prepared for a few days in a training camp in Montenegro, then travelled to Hungary, where they spent another few days fine-tuning their play for Tokyo 2020. They had two friendly games, a win against Hungary and a loss against Brazil. The team came back to the capital Podgorica on 8 July, where they will prepare for another week before flying to Japan on 15 July.

Pre-Olympic fixtures: Montenegro vs Hungary 28:22 (6 July, in Siofok, Hungary), Montenegro vs Brazil 21:22 (7 July, in Siofok, Hungary)

What are the main takes before the Olympic Games? They have been training for more than a month now, as Bojana Popovic, who won the silver medal as a player with the Montenegrin side at London 2012, will enjoy her first Olympic experience as a coach. Key centre back Milena Raicevic will miss the tournament, despite training with the national team after a serious injury – yet the experience is still there, with wings Jovanka Radicevic and Majda Mehmedovic, both silver medallists at London 2012, leading the way.

What opponents will they face? Montenegro are in Group A, alongside the Netherlands, Norway, Japan, Republic of Korea and Angola.

Norway

What are they doing? Since 22 June, Norway have had a training camp in France where experienced coach Thorir Hergeirsson has prepared his team for the Olympic Games. They went undefeated, with a superb 30:21 win and a 28:28 draw against France, showing their potential. Norway will travel to Japan on 15 July, continuing their preparation before their first game against the Republic of Korea on 25 July.

Pre-Olympic fixtures: Norway vs France 30:21 (4 July, in Bayonne, France), Norway vs France 28:28 (6 July, in Bayonne, France)

What are the main takes before the Olympic Games? Hergeirsson has a superb squad at his disposal, but questions must be raised after he only selected three wings, Marit Rosberg Jacobsen, Camilla Herrem and Sanna Solberg-Isaksen in his side. The goalkeeper pair of Silje Solberg and Katrine Lunde brings plenty of experience, while right back Nora Mork will also be a troublemaker for defences. However, experienced line player Heidi Loke will not travel to Japan.

What opponents will they face? Norway are in Group A, alongside the Netherlands, Montenegro, Japan, Republic of Korea and Angola.

Japan

What are they doing? A three-week training camp in April was followed by several others in Japan, maximising their advantage as the home country in this edition of the Olympic Games. Another three-week preparation stage, between 29 June and 22 July, just before the throw-off of the competition is taking place. Their preparation was disrupted after a member of the training staff returned a positive COVID-19 test on 5 July.

Pre-Olympic fixtures: Japan vs France (19 July, in Koshu, Japan)

What are the main takes before the Olympic Games? Japan will return to the Olympic Games for the first time since 1976 and they are eyeing to be one of the dark horses of the competition. They surely enjoyed a great tournament at the IHF Women’s World Championship in December 2019 on home soil, therefore Ulrik Kirkely’s side will try to emulate their antics from two years ago.

What opponents will they face? Japan are in Group A, alongside the Netherlands, Montenegro, Norway, Republic of Korea and Angola.

Republic of Korea

What are they doing? Currently training away from prying eyes in Korea. They are now in the middle of their second training camp, with friendly games already set against the Korean men’s youth team before traveling to Japan on 17 July.

Pre-Olympic fixtures: -

What are the main takes before the Olympic Games? With two gold medals, three silver medals and one bronze, Korea top the Olympic medal standings. They are usually the strongest in these tournaments, therefore the stakes are big for a side that normally relies on home-grown talent, with only one player, right back Ryu Eun Hee plying her trade in Europe, signing with Hungarian powerhouse Gyori Audi ETO KC this summer. Eight players from the squad also played at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

What opponents will they face? What opponents will they face? Republic of Korea are in Group A, alongside the Netherlands, Montenegro, Norway, Japan and Angola.

Angola

What are they doing? For the third consecutive time, Angola won the CAHB Women’s African Championship on 18 June, after beating hosts Cameroon, 25:15, in the final. The squad have been training in a bubble since 6 July, in Viana, Angola, before travelling to Japan on 12 July to continue their preparations.

Pre-Olympic fixtures: -

What are the main takes before the Olympic Games? Angola won two games at Rio 2016, their best-ever tally, progressing to the knock-out phase. Several players enjoyed European experience last season, acquiring much-needed experience at this level. Only five players from the 14 called up by coach Filipe Cruz will make their debut at the Olympic Games.

What opponents will they face? Angola are in Group A, alongside the Netherlands, Montenegro, Norway, Japan and Republic of Korea.

Spain

What are they doing? Two training camps in Encamp, Andorra, after which several players were dropped from contention. The last 16 players remaining in Carlos Viver’s plans will have two games against Romania on 10 and 11 July before travelling to Madrid on 15 July. The departure for Tokyo is scheduled for 16 July.

Pre-Olympic fixtures: Spain vs Romania (10 July, in Sagunto, Spain), Spain vs Romania (11 July, in Sagunto, Spain)

What are the main takes before the Olympic Games? Plenty of experience in their roster. Alexandrina Barbosa looks set to make the trip to Tokyo after a serious knee injury last November derailed her season. The core of the team is intact, with six players from the Romanian league, where Carlos Viver, the coach, is also plying his trade, at Rapid Bucuresti. It is a crucial second part of the year for Spain, who will host the IHF Women’s World Championship in December.

What opponents will they face? Spain are in Group B, alongside the ROC, Hungary, Sweden, France and Brazil.

ROC

What are they doing? A two-week training camp in Sochi, followed by three days in Novogorsk. They then travelled to the Netherlands, where they lost two friendly games, one against the hosts, 29:30, and one against Sweden, 28:31. Alexey Alekseev’s side is back in Russia for a two-week camp in Novgorod before flying to Tokyo on 18 July.

Pre-Olympic fixtures: Netherlands vs Russia 30:29 (2 July, in Den Bosch, Netherlands), Sweden - Russia 31:28 (3 July, in Den Bosch, Netherlands), Russia vs Netherlands (20 July, in Chiba)

What are the main takes before the Olympic Games? The reigning champions are dangerous and one of the teams to beat once again. Anna Vyakhireva, the MVP from Rio 2016, was hampered by injuries in the last seasons. However, the experience is there, with 14 players from Russian powerhouses Rostov-Don and CSKA Moscow. Back after an injury, left back Elena Mikhaylichenko could be one of the players to watch.

What opponents will they face? ROC are in Group B, alongside Spain, Hungary, Sweden, France and Brazil.

Hungary

What are they doing? Training camps. The first one was between 21 and 26 June at the Hungarian National Handball Academy in Balatonboglar, then they moved for five days to Romania, in Odorheiu Secuiesc, while the third is currently taking place in Siofok, between 4 July and 13 July. The Hungarian side won a friendly game against Montenegro, 28:22, and now look forwards to a doubleheader against Brazil. Hungary will travel to Tokyo on 16 July. 

Pre-Olympic fixtures: Hungary vs Montenegro 28:22 (6 July, in Siofok, Hungary), Hungary vs Brazil (9 July in Siofok, Hungary), Hungary vs Brazil (12 July, in Siofok)

What are the main takes before the Olympic Games? Even their youngest players are experienced, having already played for the national team in big tournaments and for their clubs in the DELO EHF Champions League. Plenty of experienced players are still in the team, with coaches Gabor Elek and Gabor Danyi expecting Aniko Kovacsics, Zsuzsanna Tomori and Zita Szucsanszki to lead by example.

What opponents will they face? Hungary are in Group B, alongside Spain, ROC, Sweden, France and Brazil.

Sweden

What are they doing? Won two friendly games against Russia and the Netherlands after a five-day training camp in Kungalv, Sweden. They are now back training in Sweden, with the departure for Japan scheduled for 12 July. Another friendly game against Norway awaits in Fukuoka before the throw-off on 25 July against Spain.

Pre-Olympic fixtures: Sweden vs Russia 31:28 (3 July, in Den Bosch, Netherlands), Sweden vs Netherlands 28:23 (4 July in Den Bosch, Netherlands), Sweden vs Norway (20 July, in Fukuoka, Japan)

What are the main takes before the Olympic Games? Well, influential centre back Isabelle Gullden stopped to her international career after the Women’s EHF EURO 2020, therefore the shoes to fill will be big. Nine players will make their debuts at the Olympic Games for Sweden, while left back Jamina Roberts plays her 13th international tournament for the Scandinavian side. There is a sense of balance in Tomas Axner’s side, therefore Sweden should be a team to watch at Tokyo 2020.

What opponents will they face? Sweden are in Group B, alongside Spain, ROC, Hungary, France and Brazil.

France

What are they doing? Plenty of training. The first stage was between 10 and 25 June in Capbreton. Another one followed between 30 June and 7 July, featuring two friendly games against Norway, where France conceded one loss and drew the other match. After spending three days in Creteil at the French Handball House, Olivier Krumbholz’s side will travel to Tokyo on 14 July.

Pre-Olympic fixtures: France vs Norway 21:30 (4 July, in Bayonne, France), France vs Norway 28:28 (6 July, in Bayonne, France), France vs Japan (19 July, in Koshu, Japan)

What are the main takes before the Olympic Games? One of the most decorated teams in the past 10 years, France eye another medal at the Olympic Games. They have never won gold and for this generation, it could be the last chance. Players like Amandine Leynaud, Alisson Pineau, Alexandra Lacrabere or Beatrice Edwige will surely give it their all for France in Tokyo.

What opponents will they face? France are in Group B, alongside Spain, ROC, Hungary, Sweden and Brazil.

Brazil

What are they doing? A two-week training camp was conducted in Rio Maior, Portugal. On 2 July, 18 players travelled to Hungary for another ten-day training camp in Balatonboglar. Before travelling to Japan, Brazil will have played three friendly games. The first one was a win against Montenegro, 22:21, in Siofok, and the next two will be against Hungary. Jorge Duenas’ side will travel to Tokyo on 13 July, where they will train for eight days in Oita.

Pre-Olympic fixtures: Brazil vs Montenegro 22:21 (7 July, in Siofok, Hungary), Brazil vs Hungary (9 July in Siofok, Hungary), Brazil vs Hungary (12 July in Siofok, Hungary)

What are the main takes before the Olympic Games? A lot of experience for this Brazilian side, who is eager to show that they can still compete at the highest level. With a lot of players still at European clubs, Brazil can prove to be a tough match-up for the European sides in the group.

What opponents will they face? Brazil are in Group B, alongside Spain, ROC, Hungary, Sweden and France.

Photo: French Handball Federation