The General Director of the HFR Lev Voronin told about international matches of the Russian national teams in an interview to Sport-Express.
— It’s no secret that national teams have a tough time, especially the women’s one. With all due respect to the national teams of Belarus and China our girls have no rivals to assess their level at the moment. All equal teams are in Europe. Though we pay tribute to Chinese and especially Belarusian handball players — they noticeably added between the first and the second tournaments of the Friendship Cup. But still the best match of the tournament in terms of emotions was held between the first and the second squads of the national team of Russia.
— Is there a way out of this situation?
— We can’t find optimal solutions yet. European countries have taken a very strange position and don’t even agree to unofficial matches.
— Belarusians went to Bahrain in December. Should we negotiate with Arab countries as well?
— Yes, everyone is ready, the hitch is in coming to an agreement on the timing. The national team of Iran was ready to come in January, but given the current realities, they were unable to get out directly to the World Cup. Eventually, they refused, just like Bahrain. Although, active negotiations are currently under way again. Iranians wanted to play in June, but we are in the middle of off-season and vacations. I hope we will finally choose the date, for instance, in January, when we traditionally hold a Christmas tournament. Maybe, we will receive an invitation.
— Will all the training sessions of national teams be held in autumn in usual dates, provided by international schedule?
— Yes. And we’ll continue the series of games with the men’s national team of Belarus. The teams are worthy of each other, and it’s not by chance that the matches between them are always exciting and intriguing.
— Will the women’s national team go with a return visit to China in August?
— First of all, it will serve to popularize handball in country, it will be an event. What does it mean for us? Indeed, we are objectively stronger. But the team can’t stew in its own juice and train on the base all the time. It’s necessary to move, change the situation. Just like preparation during the off-season — it’s necessary to take a player out of home to make him work hard and return. So, this trip is just like a breath of fresh air for the Russian national team. And an opportunity to visit China, it’s an interesting country. Exact dates and the number of matches are still unknown, the Chinese side is making the schedule. But it’s clear, that matches will be held in different countries.
— And what about other countries?
— The contacts are continuing, the head of the HFR Sergey Shishkarev is constantly in touch with his colleagues from the IHF and EHF. For example, the Hall of Fame of European handball opens in Vienna on June 26, and Russians are among the laureates.
Photo: the HFR press
