The Romanian women’s national handball team can once again rely on a valuable player, a regular starter in the top matches on the half court for over 10 years.
This player is pivot Crina Pintea, who will return to the national team after almost 3 years of absence. The 36-year-old pivot has not played for the national team since December 2023, at the World Championship. Her last match was a 27-26 against Poland in the group stage.
"I am returning to the national team, where my heart beats differently. I am very happy to wear the national team jersey again and fight for Romania," was the message conveyed by Crina Pintea on her Facebook page.
The announcement coincides with the official squad announced by coach Ovidiu Mihăilă for the Euro EHF Cup Final 4, which will take place in Bucharest on September 26-27. There, Romania will face Denmark in the semifinals, while the other match in the final four will be between Norway and Hungary.
The next day, the medal matches will take place. The games will be played at the same times on both days, starting at 14:15 and 17:00.
The players called up by coach Ovidiu Mihăilă for the EHF Cup Final Four Tournament are:
Goalkeepers: Diana Ciucă (Rapid Bucharest), Bianca Curmenţ (Dunărea Brăila), Yulia Dumanska (CSM Bucharest);
9-meter line: Rebeca Necula, Diana Lixăndroiu, Elena Roşu, Cristina Laslo (Dunărea Brăila), Sorina Grozav (Corona Braşov), Ştefania Stoica (SCM Rm. Vâlcea), Alicia Gogîrlă (SCM Craiova), Alina Ilie (Ştiinţa Bucharest);
Wings: Eva Kerekes (Corona Braşov), Alexandra Szoke (CSM Bucharest), Sonia Seraficeanu (Gloria Bistriţa), Mihaela Mihai (Dunărea Brăila);
Pivots: Lorena Ostase, Yaroslava Burlacenko (Gloria Bistriţa), Crina Pintea (CSM Bucharest).
This competition is a preparation for EURO 2026, which will also take place in Romania, hosting two groups at the end of the year in Oradea and Cluj-Napoca. The final tournament of CE2026 will be held between December 3-20.
D.A.