The opening ceremony of the 33rd edition of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is just around the corner. One day before lighting the sacred fire, the women’s Handball competition will begin, where the Brazilian national team will face Spain in search of its first victory in the competition.
The team coached by Cristiano Silva Rocha is in group B with Hungary, the Netherlands, Spain, France and Angola. After finishing two intense weeks of preparation in Rio de Janeiro, they continue training in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Germany, where they will play a series of friendly matches before leaving for Paris.
Voices of the protagonists
In dialogue with Giulia Guarieiro and Mariane Fernandes, two of the 21 players called to the intense preparation process and who were confirmed and will be at the next Olympic Games, they agree on the importance of being in their country with hard practice routines and a schedule full of activities, but which allowed them to be close to their families and share their experience with the youngest members of clubs, schools and also to receive the media for the dissemination of the sport.
“They have been very intense days, with a lot of physical, tactical and technical training. We have worked hard and focused on the work we are preparing but also on the opponents we will face and we know they are strong”.
“We have also done a general training that has to do with the evolution of the group”,expressed Giulia Guarieiro, player of Club Balonmano Granollers of Spain.
“I see the team with high expectations, we worked hard in this preparation. We are very focused, I think the good energy and joy is a characteristic that always accompanies us and for this competition will be no different”,added Guarieiro, who will be present for the second time at the Olympic Games.
“The Olympic Games are the most important thing in an athlete’s life. It is an immense joy, an honor to wear the national team jersey and represent Brazil. It is a mixture of intense emotions, a reflection of hard work and dedication”, reflected an excited Mariane Fernandes, who will be participating for the first time in the Games with her national team.
Undoubtedly, the planning process of the Brazilian national team in Rio de Janeiro was very special, after a long time they returned to concentrate their practices in a city with a very important meaning not only in terms of affection but also for what it meant to have hosted the Olympic Games in 2016. The Brazilian team left for Europe with the goal of delivering a memorable performance, getting past the group stage and beyond the quarterfinals. Paris 2024 is getting closer and Brazil is dreaming of the Olympic podium.
Here is the schedule of matches (Paris time)
25-7 Spain vs. Brazil 12.00
28-7 Brazilvs Hungary 07.00
30-7 France vs. Brazil 17.00
01-8 Netherlands vs. Brazil 07.00
03-8 Brazil vs Angola 12.00
Photos: CoSCABal/Germán Paez
By Camila Miranda Torres.
