Men's EHF EURO 2026 flash quotes: 19 January

HERNING – Comments from players and coaches at media calls at the Men's EHF EURO 2026 on Monday.

ROMANIA

Ionuț Stănescu (ROU) – right back

On the losses against Portugal and Denmark:

" We are very sorry that we lost the first two games, but this is sport. We have to take what we did good in the first two games and just treat it like an experience. And we also have to correct our mistakes from the first two games because this is the only way that we can go forward and become better.

"And of course, the tournament is not finished yet, and we have one more game, which we will want to win. Because it will be a good win for us in the European Championship. And it's also an important game for us because it could put us in a better position for the World Cup qualifiers."

On the next match, against North Macedonia:

"It's quite interesting because it's 3-3 (the H2H record), but we don't think about this kind of things. We just want to go on the court and show our best, be humble and try to win tomorrow." 

On targeting a win:

"The first two games were unfortunate because we faced two of the best teams in the world, especially Denmark, which is the host and in my opinion, they're the best team in the world. But we want to finish this era with a win against Macedonia that will give us only hopes for the future."

NORTH MACEDONIA

Pavle Atanasijevikj (MKD) – centre back

On the performance and the draw against Portugal:

"We had many oscillations during the game, we began the match in a good shape and played very good in defence. Afterwards, the tempo and level of the match went up and we started losing, but we managed to mount a comeback in the end and I would say that we had the win in our hands, but it ended in a draw. Now, we will quickly forget that game and we will fully focus on Romania."

On the expectations against Romania:

"We will give our best, each and everyone of us, to win the match, and let the better team win."

On the injury issues within the squad:

"Nikola Markoski received a red card, then Ivan Djonov got injured and my brother (Petar) has been injured since the first match, although he tried to play yesterday, but couldn't play and I believe the coach did really well and we gave it our all. Now Goce Ojleski is coming as well, and I think we're going to be okay."

PORTUGAL

António Areia (POR) – right wing

On being favourites against North Macedonia and on their performance:

"Favourites on paper, as you said, but still the match ended in a draw. It's like you said, just on paper, that means that handball is so developing right now that you can't face the game thinking about that you're favourite.

"I think we had a pretty much good game and the game was really intense. At the end I think we lost a little bit of the control in some momentums of the game. And then North Macedonia comes, really strong with a really high and strong defence. We were not capable to move the ball faster and even in our defence didn't stop sometimes the one against one from some of the Macedonian players. And at the end a draw it was a result that we didn't expect, we didn't want. But nothing is finished for us and we believe that we can go through and now we're facing Denmark."

On the motivation to avenge the 2025 IHF World Championship loss to Denmark:

" We lost last time in the semi-finals of the World Cup and we don't want to lose again. Everyone knows the power of Denmark and right now, we have to believe in our chances. I think we have a really great team to compete at the highest level and we have to, we are able to make really great performances and that's how we're going to face the game. That's what we believe, and at the end, we will see what happens. I think we have our chances and we have to go for it."

On being close to becoming the Portuguese player with the most EHF EURO appearances, if they qualify:

"My goal since the beginning and since I started to come to national team is to compete on a high level and try to make every competition that comes with Portugal. European, World Championship and the Olympic games that we made in Tokyo. I want to be here every time and I work for it. And if I'm here, it's a great sign that I've been doing great and I would like to make many more games in this competition. Not because of the record, but because it means that we are going through in the next round and we have more games to play and we can achieve really good things."

DENMARK

Frederik Andersen (DEN) – right wing

On securing a main round ticket:

"It couldn't be better. We have a good atmosphere in the group and we really enjoy playing these games in front of all the spectators in Herning. So we have a great feeling coming into the Portugal game."

On making his debut at major tournaments for Denmark:

" That was really a dream come true and a very big experience to me that I will always remember. Playing at home for my first championship in front of all these amazing spectators, that is something very special"

On the next match, against Portugal:

"First of all, we have to focus on ourselves and focus on our game and how we get better each game. But of course, winning against Portugal will be a big move for us in the tournament.  We expect to and hope to win every game and we know that Portugal is a team where we have to have top level to play against them. Hopefully we will reach that and take two points with us."

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