GWANGJU – The 28th Summer Universiade in Gwangju was a big occasion for Handball. After some bad luck in the past, this optional discipline fought its way into the programme for the first time.
“The most important thing for us is that the teams are satisfied. We have received a lot of positive feedback from the athletes – concerning the accommodation, food, training and even the level of the games,” said the technical delegate of International Handball Federation, Monika Hagen.
“There was not even a single protest or problem between the athlete and referee,” declares František Táborský, the technical delegate of FISU. They also found the close cooperation between IHF and FISU, which was signed at the end of the last year, very beneficial for both sides.
As for Men’s Handball teams, the gold medal went to Portugal, when the Portuguese team won over a Serbia. “The first half was pretty balanced and tight,” mentioned one of the spectators cheering for Portugal, Hugo Serrao: “But for the second half, the coach must have made some really good choices – Portuguese players started to dominate.”
The first place for Women was earned by Russia after a tight match with Korea. “We are truly happy, it was a tight match and we were lucky. I still think that we could have played better, but we’re bringing the gold home and that’s the most important,” said one of the Russian athletes Anastasia Kudryashova right after the game.
“Now that the games are over, we can say that our premiere at the Summer Universiade was as good as it could be,” declares Hagen with a big smile on her face.
Lucie Hrdličková (CZE), FISU Young Reporter
