Flash quotes: 1 December

DEBRECEN/BASEL - Comments from Hungary head coach Vlagyimir Golovin and right back Katrin Klujber (both HUN) at a media call in Debrecen; and Spain head coach Ambros Martin and right wing Paula Agullò (both ESP) at a media call in Basel on Sunday.

HUNGARY

Vlagyimir Golovin (HUN) – head coach

On his players’ performance against Sweden

"It was a pleasant surprise but at the same time and not so much.  We managed to display out on the court what we've discussed before the game, both in attack and in defence and even when the Swedish team performed well they still couldn't score a goal, so it took their confidence away, which also helped us to earn that big advantage."

On the final match in the preliminary round, against North Macedonia:

"We are already preparing for the next game and we will for sure, try to give some rest to some players, but we don't want to look down on any of our opponents. We want to show full strength too, because there will be many fans out in the arena again, and we want them to go home happy."

On the atmosphere in the arena in Debrecen:

"The atmosphere was excellent. We love to play here in Debrecen because of all our history here at this arena. And after yesterday's match, we can feel that the whole country is also cheering for us. So, we cannot give ourselves rest because we have to show them what we can do and that we fight because they are supporting us. We have to give them back."

Katrin Klujber (HUN) - right back

On the atmosphere in the arena on Saturday:

"We wanted to start the game well and we felt the energy coming from the fans in the arena. It gave us the strength and the energy to put more work into it and start the game on high."

On beating Sweden:

"This was a real clash and also, we can say that in the past year that it was a kind of El Classico between Hungary and Sweden. At a tournament like this, it always gives strength and extra motivation to go forward and to look for the upcoming matches."

SPAIN

Ambros Martin (ESP) – head coach

On how he sees Saturday’s game against France:

“Still I don't know, after one night, if we can be happy or not with the result — of course, with the work and with the game we play, yes, without any doubt. But when you are so close and you are leading in the second half and then you have the clear possibility to beat France second time in a row in one week, then it’s a pity. It's not easy to sleep with this defeat. But yes, very satisfied and proud of the job of the girls during this week, but I repeat, it was a bit bitter.”

On how the tournament is going, with the rebuilt squad:

“We came here with an idea and nothing changed from our point of view, in the meaning that we are working for the future, thinking in the long-term future. But we want to do it from the very first moment, from the very first championship and this one, no matter who is the opponent, no matter how the game goes.

“We played much better yesterday against a tougher team than Portugal, and this normally happens when you don't play with nerves or pressure of the beginning or when you play against a similar level team like Portugal or Poland can be. So, our idea, our purpose for the next game is to forget about the consequences. To forget about results or classification. Just thinking in our how to make the best game to play the best handball.”

On the game against Poland:

“Physically, they are a very strong team. Very big players. My guess is that we cannot go in this fight, because then probably we will have problems. So we need to play in a different way. Not let them go where they feel more comfortable in the offence. And also in the defence, try to play a very smart game to avoid these big players, especially in the centre.

“It's going to be probably, for both teams, more than a game, more than two points. It is for both the same possibility — to go to the next round. And probably these circumstances also play in both sides. We will see which team can handle it better.”

Paula Agullò (ESP) — right wing

On how the team feels on Sunday morning:

“We didn't win yesterday but we are happy today because of the work we did yesterday. We fight until the end and we lost because of little things at the end of the match, and of course, the experience that France have, so we are happy and obviously thinking about Monday. That game now is the past, so we are focused on the next game.”

On the match against Poland:

“It's going to be a hard match because for both teams, if we win, we pass to the next round, to the main round. It’s going to be strong and we have to control their first lines, their shots from nine metres. They are strong players and we have to control that and be strong in defence.”