Chana Masson (32) and Barbara “Barbie” Arenhart (25) are a team inside the Brazilian team – the two goalkeepers motivate each other and they were one of the keys for the high flyer of the World Championship host. In this interview they talk about their relationship, hopes and dreams.

 

Are you enjoying the current high flyer at this World Championship?

Masson: It is not the first competition in which we show a performance on high level, for a few years we have had a strong team, as many of us play in Europe. But now everybody can see it on the field, what we are able to. It helps us a lot to play the World Championship on home ground.

Are you already dreaming of a medal?

Arenhart: We are going for the first place or the first places. We are really flying high now to achieve better and better positions. And we want even more.

Although only one of you can be in the goal at the same time, there seems to be no rivalry among you. Are you a team in a team?

Arenhart: Yes, we are a team. It is important for us to support the other, because it’s not about the one of us, but it’s about the team’s success. We help each other a lot, because this is a long and tough tournament and none of us can play 60 minutes on the highest level. So it fits perfectly. If one is having a weak day, the other jumps. We work as a perfect team.

Is there any number 1 in the Brazilian goal?

Masson: No, Barbie helps me, and I help Barbie, we really play together. This is maybe one of our great advantages compared with other teams. We play together, we win together – and who’s on the court depends on the moment.

Usually the coach takes the decision on when the goalkeepers should change. But you sometimes managed those changes on your own – how does it work?

Masson: Yes, usually our coach Morten Soubak says when we should change and it’s our normal way that we change after the first half. But sometimes he is so focused on different things that he does not see the goalkeepers, like in the match against Tunisia. I had a weak start, then Barbie came, then we changed again at the break and then I wanted to change again – and it works, Barbara saved the victory. We have the responsibility and we can say: ‘We want that’. We are confident enough to change on our own.

Against France you changed the usual way, with Chana in after the break. You saved 70 per cent of all shots and were the key to this unexpected success after being seven goals down at the break. Was this the best match you played in your career?

Masson: I was asked this very often after the game. I think it was the best match I have ever played at World Championships – but not because of the number of saves, but because of the great atmosphere and audience inside the arena.

In the quarter-final Brazil will face Spain – how do you rate the chances?

Arenhart: Of course it will be very hard, as we know a lot of the Spanish players from Europe. But we can focus on them, prepare perfectly and then we hope to win.

Did it take some pressure off you and your team that you had already qualified for the Olympic Games by winning the Pan American Olympic qualification?

Masson: We do not think any second about London currently. It is not Olympics at the moment, it is World Championship in Brazil and our upcoming match against Spain.

What impact does the audience have on your performance?

Arenhart: It is absolutely the best that can happen to us players. Usually we only have away matches, but now playing on home ground, supported by those spectators, is really great. And we want to give it back by good matches.

Even though you play in Europe - how is the general interest in women’s handball in Brazil?

Masson: I hope this World Championship helps to improve and increase the interest in Brazil. This tournament means a lot to Brazilian handball, but still it is hard for the clubs. Until now it has not been that good, so all the top players go to Europe. But if everything will improve, I would like to return and play in Brazil.

Arenhart: And of course I would follow!

In the national team you are a perfect team, but in the EHF Champions League you had to face each other with your clubs Randers and Hypo. Was it a strange emotion?

Arenhart: Yes, absolutely strange – but even stranger for Chana, because she had to play against eight Brazilians. I think we both had a good day. I do not like to play against Chana!

If you win a medal is it also a merit of Hypo Niederösterreich, as eight Brazilian players play there?

Chana: Yes of course, as there is an agreement of the Brazilian federation and Hypo Niederösterreich. And Hypo will be very happy, if we finish successfully.

And successfully means on the podium…

Arenhart: This would mean that we write history as the first ever American team to win a medal at Senior World Championships. Especially by knowing that Europe has much more experience in being successful.

Masson: My Danish coach said when I left that we will go to the final or at least the semi-finals. Until now, we have played great matches and I really do not hope that it will be over after the quarter-finals. We want more and we do not stop now.

Did you expect to start with six victories until reaching the quarter-finals?

Arenhart: We calculated that we need three victories to proceed to the eight-finals. But everything changed when we beat France. This victory gave us even more confidence and motivation.