Big changes and the pursuit of the next gold medal

Big changes and the pursuit of the next gold medal

The Russian team have already shown their strength once in 2016. Three months ago, they were the only undefeated side at the Rio 2016 Games and won the country’s first ever Olympic gold in a women’s team sport. Now, the EHF EURO 2016 is their new goal.

Though they are one of the most successful national teams at the Women’s World Championship with four titles won between 2000 and 2010, the Russian national team have never won the EHF EURO, and count only silver and two bronze at the event.

There is one more reason for Trefilov’s team to fight hard for EHF EURO victory – this is a great chance to claim two major international titles in one year.

In support of their ambition, Russia were also undefeated through the EHF EURO 2016 Qualification Phase, with two wins apiece against Denmark, Turkey and Portugal to confidently take first place in Group 6.

The roster

The Russian team enter the EURO after some serious changes.

Left wing Polina Kuznetsova was injured eight days before the start of the EURO in a Golden League match, while Olympic champions Ekaterina Ilina and Maya Petrova from Rostov-Don were not nominated for the final tournament.

Tatiana Erokhina, Olga Akopian and Irina Bliznova have all retired since Rio 2016.

To replace the experienced line-up, head coach Trefilov invited 17-year-old right back Antonina Skorobogatchenko and 18-year-old centre back Karina Sabirova. Skorobogatchenko and Sabirova both won two medals over the summer – gold at the IHF Women's Youth (U18) World Championship and silver at the Women's Junior (U20) World Championship.

Skorobogatchenko was also named the All-star right back in both tournaments, and Sabirova was awarded Most Valuable Player at the Youth World Championship.

Trefilov is therefore giving the young talents a chance to shine on a senior level as he looks to the future of the national team.

The attack

MVP of the Olympic Games, right back Anna Vyakhireva, and playmaker Daria Dmitrieva are the protagonists in Russia’s attack.

As her club team, Rostov-Don, failed to reach the main round of the EHF Champions League, Vyakhireva may be even more motivated to prove herself in the national team. Vyakhireva will have some pressure to make up for the loss of Irina Bliznova, but she can be very influential when at her best.

Dmitrieva has shown she is in good shape, and was named best playmaker in Round 2 of the Golden League in Denmark as a result.

In addition, experienced Postnova Liudmila, who has returned after a two-year break, will be ready to assist in attack. The 32-year-old left back has a strong throw and has scored more than 700 goals for the national team.

The defence

Rostov-Don goalkeeper Anna Sedoykina has a knee injury and cannot play in the EURO. The first choice for Evgeny Trefilov will therefore be Victoria Kalinina, who performed well in Rio after Sedoykina was sidelined.

Help in defence will come from Ksenia Makeeva and Anna Sen, both of whom are key line players for the national team.

The coach

It seems that the name Evgeny Trefilov has become synonymous with the women's national team of Russia. He has led the team since 1999, with only a short break in 2012.

During his time at the helm the national team has won four World Championships (2001, 2005, 2007, 2009), as well as the Olympic title in 2016.

Trefilov has also achieved success on a club level, having collected all the major European titles as a coach: EHF Champions League, EHF Cup (twice) and the Cup Winners' Cup.

This year, Trefilov is leading Kuban Krasnodar from his native Kuban region, and reached the group stage of the EHF Cup.

The outlook

After a successful performance in Rio, fans and experts are expecting a confident game and wins from the national team – but nobody knows how much the changes in the squad will affect the results.

Russia are playing in Group D, where they will face Croatia on December 5 and Romania on December 7. Their last match of the group stage will be a repeat of the memorable semi-final at the Olympic Games: Russia versus Norway.

The 20 players nominated by Russia for preparation for the Women's EHF EURO 2016

Goalkeepers: Victoria Kalinina, Kira Trusova, Elena Utkina

Right wings: Marina Sudakova, Anna Vyahireva

Right backs: Antonina Skorobogatchenko, Anna Sen

Centre backs: Daria Dmitrieva, Olga Gorshenina, Karina Sabirova

Left backs: Vladlena Bobrovnikova, Victoriya Zhilinskayte, Elizaveta Malashenko, Anastasia Suslova, Polina Vedekhina, Ljudmila Postnova

Left wings: Daria Samokhina, Kristina Kozhokar

Line players: Yana Zhilinskayte, Ksenia Makeeva