A superb rise to the top: How Rogerio Moraes got here

Eight years ago, Brazilian line player Rogerio Moraes Ferreira was not even playing professional handball. 

Now, at 26, the towering Brazilian ace has won the EHF Champions League twice with RK Vardar Skopje, played for three of the biggest clubs in Europe and is anchoring the Brazilian defence at the 27th IHF Men’s World Championship.

“Handball started in school for me, I was playing with my mates, but nothing important. Of course, I also tried football, like every kid in Brazil, but I was attracted more by handball.”

“But, of course, I was going online and searching for videos watching how the big guys played. I watched countless of hours on YouTube, searching for the Karabatic brothers and Luc Abalo. A few years later, I was already playing against them,” says Moraes.

His European adventure began with a one-year stint at THW Kiel, a team that prides themselves on scouting the best handball prospects.

He moved to Vardar in 2016, winning the top European trophy twice in his three years in Skopje.

“I mean, it has been a whirlwind. Starting from nothing to be able to be the hero of so many people, it is an amazing feeling. There were 200,000 people waiting for us in the main market of Skopje after winning the EHF Champions League the first time. I really felt like heaven,” says the 26-year old Brazilian line player.

A move to Telekom Veszprém followed in 2019 after Vardar encountered financial trouble. But Moraes was a prized asset, not only for his work in attack, but also for his defence, as he is capable of stopping opponents with his size and skill.

It is nothing new to play against club teammates at the IHF Men’s World Championship, but the game against Hungary in main round Group I at Egypt 2021 will definitely be special for Moraes.

Two players play for Veszprém on the Hungary roster, goalkeeper Marton Szekely and centre back Mate Lekai, while only two others play club handball outside of Hungary.

“Sure, I know a thing or two about our opponents today,” laughs Moraes. “In fact, I know them very well. I have played numerous times against teams like MOL-Pick Szeged, Balatonfüredi or Grundfos Tatabanya, teams who have lots of players in the Hungarian national team,” adds the Brazilian.

Boasting a young, talented roster with impressive results at Egypt 2021, Hungary are a tough ask for any team at Egypt 2021. But the fulcrum of their attack is creative centre back Lekai, Moraes’ teammate at Veszprém.

Lekai has scored nine times and dished ten assists in this championship, helping Hungary sweep their opponents in the preliminary round. But Moraes is ready for him.

“I probably know him best, because I am responsible with stopping him in our practice sessions at Veszprém. Is he a good player? One of the best. But I know how to hamper him a little and I passed this knowledge to my teammates. I think we have a good chance,” smiles Moraes.

The game against Hungary at New Capital Sports Hall will be Brazil’s biggest challenge yet and is paramount for Brazil’s chances to advance at Egypt 2021.

“I have been interviewed by the Hungarian media and I just got a glimpse of how important this game is for them. A win would bring them closer to the quarter-finals, so there is everything to play for.”

“If we win, if we stop them, probably I will not be the most popular in Veszprém. But I am just kidding, the fans are so great there, everybody is stopping me to say hello and I am feeling like at home. Probably, the fans are even crazier about handball than Brazilians are about football,” says Moraes.

Brazil sit fifth in the Group I standings with one point, courtesy of their unexpected draw against Spain, 29:29, in their first game in the tournament after mounting a six-goal comeback in the last 20 minutes of the game.

“We should feel proud about what we achieved here until now, because we had so many troubles with the COVID-19 situation. Three key players plus our coach are out, so this really put a strain on our preparations. It was very difficult to come here and change things on the spot.”

“Our defence was totally shattered by our missing players, because we liked to play 5-1, yet we do not have the personnel to do that,” adds Moraes.

While Brazil may not finish as high as the ninth place at GER/DEN 2019, Moraes is still upbeat about the team’s future. With so many challenges at Egypt 2021, Brazil are just happy to be able to play and achieve good results.

Like for many other teams, Brazil’s future looks good and their development is getting better and better. 

A win against Hungary today would surely certify that.