BiH national handball coach Irfan Smajlagić spoke about the match with Sweden and the preparatory tournament.
Source: MONDO/Dragan Šutvić
The handball national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina plays its first match at the European Championship in two days, and the opponent is the national team of Sweden.
Sweden is a big favorite in this match, and the results in the preparatory tournament are not promising either. Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded three defeats in three matches of the “Yellow Cup” – against Argentina, Switzerland and Romania.
Head coach Irfan Smajlagić said before the start of the Euros that the players are not in the same shape and that due to injuries, the preparations had to be adjusted.
“Many circumstances dictate the list, injuries, illnesses. Given that, let’s say, the previous days were quite tiring, due to the fact that the players came in different states. Part of the preparations in Sarajevo was too demanding for some players. But, in order to fill up with energy, we had to increase the intensity of work and bring it to an optimal state for the European Championship“, said Smajlagić and added:
“It is very difficult for the team to be in ideal condition. Injuries, diseases, different forms, dictate the quality of training and preparation. These are circumstances over which we have very little influence, but we must prepare as best we can. And this preparatory tournament showed that we are in an energy deficit, that is, we have to make as many rotations as possible, so that individual players could withstand the rhythm required by these games. The matches at the European Championship are of such quality that everything is punished.”
The selector also commented on the first game of the BiH national team at the European Championship.
“We know who Sweden is, we mustn’t fool ourselves. It is important that we have continuity of both playing and endurance, so that we do not fall psychologically. These three games have shown that we act correctly for about forty minutes, and then fatigue sets in. I expect the players to give their maximum, and the result will be a consequence of the game”said Irfan Smajlagić.