Group D opponents Norway and Romania meet for the second time at the 22nd IHF Women’s Handball World Championship, but this time there is a lot more at stake – a place in the Denmark 2015 Final, and the right to contest the trophy. 

Jyske Bank BOXEN, Herning
Norway vs Romania 20:45 local time

Norway are perhaps the only team qualified for the Semi-Finals that were widely expected to reach this stage of the competition. As the European and Olympic champions, the Scandinavian powerhouse began their Denmark 2015 campaign under pressure – which was only made more significant by the strong group into which they were drawn. Group D included four big European teams: the Russian Federation, Norway’s opponent in the 2014 European championship Final, Spain, and the powerful Romania team they will play for a spot in the Final. 

Norway coach Thorir Hergeirsson said in his analysis of their group before the tournament that Romania could be a big threat at Denmark 2015: 

“The Romanian team have a new coach – a Swedish coach, Thomas Ryde. He is a clever guy. They have good players. They are always strong. Maybe they will take the next step now.”

Clearly he was right and Romania are taking the next step, already earning their best result since 2007 when they finished fourth on the final ranking in France. Now Hergeirsson prepares to face Romania in the penultimate match, but he says Norway certainly did not enter any of their games at the tournament expecting to win, particularly their Quarter-Final against Montenegro. 

“We are humble. It is not a given to be in the Semi-Final. We said before the championship that there were eight or nine teams that could be in the Semi-Final,” says Hergeirsson. “It was tough against Montenegro – it is always tough. They are a tough team and smart. And many of them play together every day.”

Whether they began the championship confident of reaching this stage or not, Norway must now ready themselves for the side that has knocked out both the 2013 world champions and the host team with a crowd of almost 12,000 against them. Interestingly, both Semi-Finals are rematches, with Group B opponents Netherlands and Poland meeting for the first knock-out game before Norway take to the court against Romania hoping for a similar result to that they achieved in the group phase when the Scandinavian team won 26:22. 

After Romania’s performance against Denmark, whom they defeated in extra-time with a goal in the final seconds from right wing Adriana Nechita there is one big question on everyone’s lips: Neagu. 

Former World Handball Player of the Year Cristina Neagu has been Romania’s long-time star, winning the coveted title at the age of just 22, raising the Women’s EHF Champions League trophy with Buducnost earlier this year, and ranking third on the top scorers list with 45 goals so far at Denmark 2015 – 15 of which were scored in the Quarter-Final against Denmark. 

To say Neagu is a threat is an understatement, and both Ryde and Hergeirsson are obviously aware of that fact. Romania enter every match prepared for the moment that she will be marked out, and teams often focus their defensive strategy around her in the left back position. But Hergeirsson is quick to remind that Norway are facing a team, not just one player. 

“Cristina is one of the best players in the world, there is no doubt,” says the native of Iceland. “But we are facing Romania, and they have been playing better and better.”

It is true that Romania are far more than ‘just’ Neagu, with a spectacular goalkeeper in Paula Ungureanu, who currently sits on an average save rate of 37% for the championship, up-and-coming stars like Eliza Buceschi, reliable wings like Nechita, and captain and centre back Aurelia Bradeanu. But Norway also boast their own stars, including EHF EURO 2014 All-Star right back Nora Mork, exceptional goalkeepers like Kari Grimsbo and Silje Margareta Solberg, fast wings like Camilla Herrem and one of the best line players there is, former World Handball Player of the Year Heidi Loke. 

Friday’s game should therefore be a thrilling 60 minutes between two different styles – Romania’s powerful backcourt and strong defence against Norway’s fast positional play and lethal counter attacks.