The head coach of the national team of Russia Lyudmila Bodniyeva in the interview to Handballfast summarized the results of two meetings in Minsk with the national team of Belarus, which finished with the losses of the rivals, and said what to expect from the starting European Championship 2024.
— We communicated in spring after two victories over Belarus in Astrakhan within the Caspian Cup, and it was well said, we even put it in the headline: «There is even nothing to blame girls for». All the more is now?
— Let me answer a bit differently. And let’s start with the fact that I’m not so sure that both teams showed real strength in these matches.
But first of all, let’s start with us. I felt that the team has game reserves. Plus, we were a bit worried. Indeed, the team was certainly in a positive mood, but at the same time there was an excitement, and it affected the performance of several players.
— And what about Belarus? And by the way, what do you think about their pre-match critics from the head coach of the national team Valeriy Pevnitsky?
— I would refrain from commenting on my colleague’s interview. And I wouldn’t like to analyze the competitors personally. I will say one thing: Belarus doesn’t assemble in this line-up so often, so the players’ actions were slightly muddled. And generally, I’m sure that can play better. But on the whole, let me stress again, I can’t give an objective assessment. To summarize the answer on your question I would say that, probably, these were our two major victories in the matches with Belarus, and the score can’t fail to please. Such victories are pleasant anyway. At the same time, we can find what to correct, we will certainly do conclusions!
— Could you specify what did you dislike? What should be improved?
— Not that I didn’t like, but if we consider main requirements, not everything was fulfilled perfectly. I have question to central defenders concerning block and choice of position. There were claims for work without ball in attack, there were suggestions what to do better in quick transition. In short, there is something to strive for...
Of course, each team plays as good as its competitor permits it to do. Still, the players should understand that well-coordinated actions in the announced situations would had made our play more qualitative.
The players of the national team of Russia in matches with Belarus:
gk: Anna Vereshchak (Dinamo-Sinara), Anastasia Kazmenko (Rostov-Don), Anastasia Ryabtseva (Astrakhanochka);
lw: Marianna Egorova (Zvezda), Yulia Kozachenko (CSKA);
rw: Anna Kaynarova (Astrakhanochka), Anastasia Shkitina (Dinamo-Sinara);
p: Anastasia Illarionova, Victoria Shamanovskaya (both from CSKA);
rb: Anna Vyakhireva (Brest Bretagne Handball, France), Valeria Maslova (Ferencvarosi TC, Hungary), Antonina Santalona (CSKA);
lb: Natalia Nikitina (Chernomorochka), Varvara Semina (CSKA), Daria Statsenko (Rostov-Don);
cb: Daria Dmitrieva (Ferencvarosi TC, Hungary), Ekaterina Dolmatova (Dinamo-Sinara), Valeria Kirdyasheva (CS Gloria Bistrita-Nasaud, Romania).
— You’ve already said that about 5-6 players could have also claimed the place in the current squad. Who is it?
— Yes, Kira Trusova, Kristina Kozhokar, Sofia Vasilyeva, Ksenia Ilyina, Valeria Sobkalo, Varvara Yuryeva and several more players were on the extended list. And Ksenia Zakordonskaya even worked at the training session, but didn’t go to Minsk. All of them could have been in the squad, but for various reasons it didn’t happen: someone wasn’t allowed after an injury, in some cases we chose more experienced players.
— Usually, unlike many other coaches, you are not afraid to single out someone in your team. You praised Kazmenko, Kirdyasheva in our previous interview…
— You know, it’s hard to do it this time, at least for the reason that we tried to distribute the playing time more or less equally. And it’s possible to praise everyone, nobody failed, despite the announced moments. Well, perhaps, I particularly liked Yulia Kozachenko, if judged by the work during the training session.
— How did Anya Vyakhireva feel after concussion, which she arrived from France with? And then I will ask you at once about our another star — Dasha Dmitrieva!
— Dasha and Anya are our two honored masters in all senses, long-standing leaders of the team. Their role is especially important not only during the change of generations, but when a whole galaxy of new players comes, like in our team, to help the young feel confident. We didn’t manage to get together in this line-up for a long time, including Dasha and Anya, and it’s great that we managed to do it.
It’s clear that they are heroes for our youngest players. Obviously, it’s both interesting and responsibly to work near them. The idea to invite them to the training session has justified itself from this point of view.
I’m very pleased that it happened. And I would like to praise both of them for great mood during training. They demonstrated an example of high dedication, attitude to workouts. And gave necessary emotions both during workouts and on the games, though we tried to keep Anya safe.
— If we continue the topic of legionnaires…
— We haven’t seen Lera Maslova for a long time, it’s possible to say that she has matured and she did pretty well on the training session. And we almost didn’t manage to miss another Lera — Kirdyasheva. Concerning her performance, she looked better in the second match than in the first one: she added speed and reminded herself of the finest samples.
— You also pointed out someone from the team of Belarus in our previous conversations — Kishko, Kulak, Petrachkova, Sivukha. Whom could you single out this time?
— Ilyina strengthened the back line quite well, reinforced it. And traditionally, the pivots set enough tasks for us, it’s the strongest position in Belarus: Shinkaruk, Mokat… In addition, Kuntsevich played quite well in the gate.
— I remember you always recommend to monitor top-tournaments carefully. Were there such recommendations now, before the European Championship?
— I haven’t given such recommendations yet, but, of course, I will send girls links to the matches that are required for watching. In our current situation, when we are deprived of matches with top national teams, we must monitor them in action, realizing that we have to compare ourselves with European teams. I heard Sergey Shishkarev’s words about Los Angeles 2028, of course, but even if all restrictions are removed from us, we will need time to qualify for it!
— And what do you expect from 2024-Euro in the absence of many stars?
— Yes, it often happens after the Olympic Games that we won’t see many of those who we are used to monitor. Someone decided to finish career, someone suspended performing for the national team, someone decided to take care of health — it’s really hard to hold two top-tournaments in a year. So, it’s not a fact that at least one leading national team will be represented in an optimal line-up.
On the other hand, that’s exactly what is attractive in the championship! We will discover new names with a 100% probability, that is why it will be interesting to watch it for me and others.
France changed the head coach, though it mainly saved top-players, and I suppose it will be the favorite. Hungary is expected to surprise pleasantly. I’m sure that Denmark is also able to impress, even without Toft and many other familiar leaders it has a good enough squad. Sweden won’t have Koppang, but there are enough strong players as well.
It’s curious to see Norway without Mork and Oftedal. Netherlands ventured into big changes. Slovenia also lost many players, probably, Tjasa Stanko will lead the team.
If we continue talking about those who can surprise, I will name Switzerland. The system of players training has been operating for a long time, it’s time to show its results. And Montenegro can’t be discounted. Though they have a young coach Suzana Lazovic, all the leading players remained in the team, Montenegro decided not to hold a generation change yet. Perhaps, to surprise in this tournament…
Photo: the BHF and the HFR press
