Ahead of both the 2017 IHF Women’s World Championship semi-finals, all four team head coaches faced the world’s media at the Barclaycard Arena, Hamburg. 

IHF.info was there and brings you all what was said in advance of the two big clashes on Friday 15 December between Netherlands and Norway (17:30) and Sweden and France (20:45).

Here, Netherlands coach Helle Thomsen gives her views on the game against Norway.

 

Media question: Is it special to again face Norway in your fourth encounter in a major recent tournament?

Helle Thomsen: First, we are happy to be here, it’s has been good performances by our team which has led us to the semi-finals. We have not played the best handball, but we fight together. 

The Norway match is going to be really difficult as they have a great team. Not only they played well [in their quarter-final], but they have played good for many years, so we know everyone [on our team] must step, not one level up, but many levels up if we are to have a chance to beat Norway.

 

Media question: What did you think when you saw the Norway vs Russia (34:17) result in the quarter-finals?

Helle Thomsen: Firstly, Norway and Russia have maybe the two best teams in the world so if you can beat Russia by 17 goals then I’m really impressed. I have seen this Norway team playing, they are playing great handball and I think the ‘team behind the team’ is maybe the best in the world so I can only say they do a really good job and I have a big respect for the way they do it.

 

Media question: Both Norway and Netherlands play a similar style, what will be the key to winning – goalkeeping, defence or attack?

Helle Thomsen: The goalkeepers will be important, and it is important for us to stop the fast-break Norway has, from when they get the ball, and the next 8-10 seconds with it, they are maybe the best team in the world. For us, it is really important our goalkeepers have a good day and we can stop the fast-break.

 

Media question: Is it a psychological factor that Norway have beaten Netherlands in Herning (World Championship 2015), Rio (Olympic Games 2016) and Gothenburg (EHF EURO 2016) in finals matches over the past two years

Helle Thomsen: It’s in the past. I don’t think we can look at the past, I think it is more the respect you have for Norway and the way they play now. I don’t think what happened last year or two years ago will add anything to this match.

 

Media question: After the result of Norway, and you admitting you are not that satisfied with the performances of your team are Netherlands the underdog and it takes the pressure off of your team?

Helle Thomsen: I agree. We have not played as good as we did last year, and you can see Norway how they are playing like they have done for many years. I have players who really fight, and we have to find a little bit more because where we are now in the semi-finals against the best team in the championship.

 

IHF.info: You have said your team have not played the best handball so far, what would you like to see done better?

Helle Thomsen: If we are to have a chance in beating Norway then everyone must step up. Lois Abbingh is playing at a really high level, but I think the rest of the team – me too – must step one or two levels up. 

If we can’t do that then they will beat us, but for sure, we have more than we have shown you until now and I hope it will change a little bit [against Norway] and we can give them a hard game.

 

Media question: Nycke Groot is one of your key players, she has not really been fit, how would you assess her fitness currently?

Helle Thomsen: Nycke was injured at her club and has only played three-and-a-half games in six months and now she will play seven games in 14/15 days, but I think she is fit. She is not playing like last year but still she is one of the reasons that Lois Abbingh is playing as well as she is, so Norway know she is a key player for us and she will be good and ready for them.

 

IHF.info: How hard has it been for you to get the team to forget the games against Norway in recent years?

Helle Thomsen: I don’t think it has been hard. All players know that Norway are good and if you want to beat them you must have a really good day and play at a high level and Norway must have a little bit of a bad day, but we can’t decide if Norway have a bad or good day, but we hope they do and we can step up.

 

IHF.info: The EHF EURO final in 2016 was equal at half-time, so you are getting closer to beating them. Is the time now?

Helle Thomsen: I think right now Norway are a level higher than us as you have seen us play earlier games at this tournament. But when the 60 minutes starts it is 7 vs 7, of course, we have a chance, but I think last year it was more of a chance we had to beat them.