The anticipation for the Women’s World Championship is high in Brazil, and so are the expectations on the host team. The Dane Morten Soubak’s task is to lead the “samba women” to the biggest success in the federation’s history. Brazil’s national coach aims high for the home WCh, mainly because many of his players have by now gained international experience in Europe.
What do you expect from the World Championship – when it comes to your team and the tournament in general?
Morten Soubak: I think that this World Championship will be the most interesting one ever, since the top nations have constantly increased their level. In my opinion, as many teams as never before have realistic chances to win a medal. Besides I believe that women’s handball has made enormous progress over the last years in terms of techniques and physical conditions – this is exactly what we will see in Brazil in December. When it comes to my team, we’re delighted to have the opportunity to play a World Championship on home soil – and we’re keen to show the whole world that Brazil, apart from football and volleyball, has more successful sports to offer.
How high are the expectations in Brazil – and what are your WCh aims?
Morten Soubak: The expectations in Brazil are hard to describe. I hope we will play a good WCh and make Brazil become a part of the world map of handball.
Is your team under high pressure – or is a home WCh 100 per cent joy?
Morten Soubak: A WCh usually involves that all participants are under a certain pressure – and the host maybe even a bit more. But the players are really looking forward to giving their best in front of the home audience.
How large is the interest of Brazil in the WCh?
Morten Soubak: Brazil has already hosted two Junior World Championships – and the feedback was excellent. Therefore I’m sure that we will experience a fantastic World Championship with many spectators, which will be at the same time great advertising for handball.
Is it an advantage or a disadvantage that many of your players play in Europe?
Morten Soubak: Both! First of all I’m very glad that many Brazilians play in Europe, as many of them are employed with top clubs, which play in the Champions League – and most of them are key players in their clubs. Let’s take for example Hypo Niederösterreich where eight of our players are under contract – the club and the national team benefit from that in the long term. On the other hand the distance between Brazil and Europe is very long and there are different competition calendars, which certainly affect the activities of the national team.
Are the Brazilian handball fans as enthusiastic as the football fans?
Morten Soubak: Clear answer: No!
What can fans from all over the world expect from the WCh in Brazil?
Morten Soubak: First of all it’s the first World Championship in summer – so it will be very hot. Apart from that I believe that we will experience a big handball party with plenty of happy people and the world’s best players in full arenas.
How important is the WCh for Brazilian handball?
Morten Soubak: The World Championship will significantly promote handball in Brazil and the whole of South America – which is necessary though. It’s thus a great chance for Brazil.
What would a WCh medal for Brazil mean for the development of handball, in particular in view of the Olympics?
Morten Soubak: That would make us extremely happy – and it would be a giant step for handball.