HC Rostov-Don almost didn’t change in midseason, but still there is something to discuss in its line-up. Handballfast analyzes the problems and weak points of one of the best clubs of the country.
The preliminary composition of HC Rostov-Don for the season-2024/25
gk: Gratskevich Yulia (1994), Lagina Anastasia (1995), Chernova Alina (2004), Kazmenko Anastasia (2004)
lw: Kuznetsova Polina (1987), Kozhokar Kristina (1994), Kazikhanova Sabina (2004)
rw: Managarova Yulia (1988), Levsha Ekaterina (1993)
p: Makeeva Ksenia (1990), Amelchenko Alena (1995), Pichugina Melanya (2004)
lb: Sen Anna (1990), Shavman Anastasia (1999), Kishko Alina (2002), Statsenko Daria (2003)
cb: Frolova Yaroslava (1997), Tazhenova Milana (1999)
rb: Ganicheva Valeria (1996), Zelenkova Ekaterina (1999), Shaposhnikova Anna (1999)
coaching staff: Dibirova Irina Igorevna, Kovalev Dmitriy Sergeevich
There are more losses than acquisitions
Rostov spent the off-season quietly. There is only one newcomer, who is actually not entirely new. Anastasia Shavman returned from HC Kuban after several years out of Rostov.
There are several losses. Valeria Kirdyasheva with an iron confidence decided to try her hand in the Champions League. That is why when it became clear that it won’t be possible to move to ZRK Buducnost, she signed a contract with another European club — Gloria Bistrita.
But this loss was predictable, the transfer has been known for a long time. While the completion of Alina Reshetnikova’s career came as an unpleasant surprise for supporters. The centre back was considered to be very perspective, she was called to the national team of the country by Lyudmila Bodniyeva. But finally the 20-year-old player suddenly said goodbye to sport.
Lastly, the Belarusian pivot Valeria Gutova became the third loss. Probably, her transfer will be the least noticeable for Rostov-Don. After all, Gutova spent only 236 minutes on the court, and she wasn’t even in the application list in half of matches.
It would be good to have 2-3 more players
In addition, it can’t be said that everything is going smoothly with pivots in Rostov-Don. Alena Amelchenko is recovering after a serious knee injury and has just begun training (and it wasn’t her the first operation). Without her 34-year-old Ksenia Makeeva and her peer, universal Anna Sen, who prolonged the contract with the club for two seasons at once, remain in the line. Of course, there is promising, but inexperienced Melania Pichugina, but it remains unclear how far does the coaching staff count on her. In general, it seems that two or three more players will be useful to Rostov-Don. There are 18 players in the team, besides three players from the second team.The question, who will replace Kirdyasheva, is more or less solved — Anastasia Shavman. Indeed, Valeria is formally a playmaker, while Anastasia is a back player. But, firstly, Shavman can play on any position of the back line, but it’s more convenient for her to play on the left. Secondly, Kirdyasheva played half of the season as a left back close to Milana Tazhenova and Yaroslava Frolova.
Probably, the loss of Reshetnikova will not be critical, since Tazhenova and Frolova remain in the club. Although, both of them missed quite a lot of matches in recent years, so the third player would really help.
Age is no barrier
The composition of Rostov-Don remains to be one of the oldest in the Super League. And if five years ago many were convinced that veterans would be able to work out the entire season during 60 minutes, now there are concerns about it — what is the limit for this strong health?
The right wing Yulia Managarova, who is about to turn 36, is still on the first roles, as well as 37-year-old Polina Kuznetsova, and to recall, Ksenia Makeeva and Anna Sen will be 34 this year. And in fact, they form the starting seven. And none of the young follows them.
Besides, Rostov didn’t strengthen the squad, while it wasn’t sufficient to beat CSKA this year neither in the Cup of Russia, nor in the national championship. The capital team underwent changes this summer and, probably, doesn’t seem to be a very formidable force. But relying on the fact that the rival has become weaker instead of being strengthened is not the best plan of development. And despite all the changes in CSKA, Rostov-Don is not considered as an undisputed favorite of the fight for gold.
Photo: HC Rostov-Don press
