Valcea set big objectives for new European season

Main facts

• SCM Ramnicu Valcea progressed to the group phase with a 63:48 win on aggregate against H 65 Höörs HK in Qualification Round 3
• the Romanian side is - for the second consecutive season - in the group phase of the competition, having previously made the quarter-finals last season
• Valcea boast players of nine different nationalities and three different continents in the roster, including Tunisian-born line player Asma Elghaoui and Japanese right wing Asuka Fujita
• last season, they went as far as the quarter-finals of the EHF European League Women, where they were downed by Herning-Ikast Handbold, 61:72 on aggregate
• Bent Dahl’s side will lament the absence of left back Jovanka Kovacevic in the first matches of the competition, as the Serbian stalwart suffered a back injury during the EHF EURO 2022

The most important question: Can they do it with a roster that is low on numbers?

Bent Dahl has done a terrific job at Valcea since his appointment in 2021, leading the squad to third place in the Romanian League last season, despite the team being underdogs for most of the season. The Norwegian coach has deployed a fast-paced system, with plenty of speed in the games, as Valcea delivered one of the biggest surprises of the current season in the Romanian domestic competition, a 37:36 home win against champions Rapid Bucuresti.

That only underlines the penchant for surprises, at least at home, for Valcea, who were a superb side to watch in the competition last season, while also delivering a high-octane attack time and time again. With a good draw in the group phase, the Romanian side, who have inherited Oltchim’s performances from back in the day, will want to emulate the performances of the old team, who made an appearance in the final of the EHF Champions League Women in the 2009/10 season.

However, the side clearly has shortcomings – a small roster, where every injury will be critical. But with Dahl at the helm and a strong and experienced group of players, Valcea will try to represent Romania to the best of their abilities, being a proud city, where handball is a way of life.

How they rate themselves

Despite having a plethora of injuries to navigate during this season, they are pretty confident at least of progressing from the group phase.

“I think we can play good against any opponent. We have very good players, we are a team where there are no big egos, we are united and I believe in our chance. I am glad to be on the court after coming back from an injury and I only want to regain my form and enjoy handball,” said the team’s captain, left wing Cristina Florica, after she returned to the court against H 65 Höörs.

Under the spotlight: Iryna Glibko

Kovacevic was undoubtedly a star transfer for Valcea, who became crucial in the team’s tactics, but her injury left a big gap in the squad. Enter Iryna Glibko, the longest-tenured player from Valcea, who has been at the club since 2017. She is a true stalwart, one of the top scorers of the Romanian league in the past decade, and a two-time top goal scorer of the competition, in 2013 and 2018.

A strong penalty taker and a player who can also create and finish actions, Glibko has been paramount to Valcea’s success in the past and at 32 years old, she also brings extra experience to the table, a crucial ingredient. Despite her not being the tallest back on the court – 1.70m – the Ukrainian centre back, who can also play as a left back, has a strong shot and can dazzle the opponent with impressive breakthroughs.

Until Kovacevic is back, Glibko will have to carry the load, She scored 12 goals for Valcea in qualification round 3 against H 65 Höörs, after boasting a 52-goal tally last season in the EHF European League Women.

What the numbers say

This will be the 24th season in which Valcea takes part in competitions organised by the EHF, and the fourth consecutive season where the Romanian side features either in the EHF Champions League Women or the EHF European League Women.

Did you know?

A Romanian side has qualified for every EHF Finals Women edition held since the rebrand of the competition, with CS Minaur Baia Mare qualifying in the 2020/21 and the 2021/22 seasons among the top four sides in the competition. This time around, Valcea are the only Romanian team to progress to the group phase.

Arrivals and departures

Newcomers: Asuka Fujita (CS Minaur Baia Mare), Elin Hansson (Skuru IK), Raluca Bacaoanu (Magura Cisnadie), Jovana Kovacevic (Gloria Bistrita), Amalia Coman (Stiinta Bucuresti), Daniela de Jong (Skuru IK), Tanja Asanin (Motherson Mosonmagyarovari KC)

Left the club: Kristina Liscevic, Mireya Gonzalez (both HC Dunarea Braila), Olga Gorshenina (Neckarsulmer SU), Elena Dache (Magura Cisnadie), Zeljka Nikolic (Gloria Bistrita), Roberta Stamin, Daniela Marin (both HC Zalau)

Past achievements

EHF European League Women participations (including 2021/22): 2

Other

EHF Champions League:
Runners-up (1): 2009/10
Semi-finals (3): 2008/09, 2011/12, 2012/13
Main round (2): 2007/08, 2010/11

Cup Winners' Cup:
Winners (1): 2006/07
Runners-up (1): 2001/02

Champions Trophy:
Winners (1): 2006/07

Romanian league:
20 titles (1989-91, 1993-2000, 2002, 2007-13, 2019)

Romanian cup:
14 titles (1984, 1990, 1992-99, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2011, 2020)