Flash quotes: 26 November

BASEL/DEBRECEN - Comments from Sweden head coach Tomas Axnér, left back Jamina Roberts and goalkeeper Jessica Ryde (all SWE) at a photoshoot at the Lycium Hotel, and Portugal head coach José António Silva, line player Bebiana Sabino and left wing Carolina Nunes Monteiro (all POR) at a photoshoot at the St. Jakobshalle Stadion, on Tuesday.

SWEDEN

Tomas Axnér (SWE) - head coach

On their expectations ahead of the Women's EHF EURO 2024:

"We have high expectations, of course. We finished fourth in the Olympics, very close to the final. We know we have a very difficult game against Hungary in the second game. It's going to be a (good) opening for the championship for us, if we can win that game."

On their goals for the tournament:

"Of course, we have set goals but we talk about more about visions and we finished fourth two championships in a row.

“Now, we want to have a medal, but we know that Norway, France and Denmark have taken the medals in the last championships and they are very strong teams and with us, Hungary, Germany and Netherlands, there are many strong opponents to take a medal, but we are aiming and our wishing is, vision is to take a medal."

On the opening match against North Macedonia in group A:

"Even though you have played many championships, there's always a little bit of nerves in the game, but I think it will be the same for North Macedonia.

“We know that we are a strong team and we know that we can play on a high level. And we know also that we can play that for 60 minutes. And we have a lot of respect for North Macedonia, but at the end we hope that we can take two points."

Jamina Roberts (SWE) - left back

On whether they are group A favourites, and if that brings pressure:

"I don't think that's a burden, but I don't think that we are such a clear favourites. I think Hungary in Hungary especially is a really hard opponent. So, we are humble and we will be very happy if we win this group, but we don't see it clearly obvious (being favourites)."

On Sweden's biggest strengths:

"Our biggest strength is that we really enjoy each other in the group. We have fun together, we support each other.

“Handball-wise, I think it's, mostly our defence. It maybe looks a little bit, weird sometimes, but we feel that we have control and we are playing in a way that we like."

On their goals for the championship:

"We have high expectations on ourselves. We also enjoy to play in Hungary with a lot of nice handball fans. And especially the game against Hungary will be a crowded game with a lot of atmosphere. And we are looking forward to it."

Jessica Ryde (SWE) - goalkeeper

On the opening match against North Macedonia:

"Looking forward a lot to start the competition. It's always fun to play the European championship and yeah, it's a great atmosphere and I think we're really just looking forward to start the competition."

On their goals for the Women's EHF EURO 2024:

"We will take it step by step and we are always trying to achieve to and reach a medal. That's our main goal."

On being early favourites in group A:

“I know the team is taking the group serious. It doesn't really matter if we're favourites or not.

“All the games are equally important and fun to play and if we just do it seriously and professional, I think we will have good opportunities to take some good results with us."

PORTUGAL

José António Silva (POR) - head coach

On the feeling in the team before the EURO begins:

“We have a lot of expectations about this competition, because for us, it’s the first time for all of us. Portugal have a long absence in this kind of tournaments.

“We’ll try do our best to increase the level of performance in handball of Portugal.”

On preparing mentally for the championship given it is a new experience for all involved:

“This is not a problem. Because it is the first time for us, we are highly motivated for the tournament and the girls, they have the right mentality for this kind of competition. Naturally, we have also some care about all the contexts, about all the pressure that exists, but I think we are prepared for the matches.”

On the first game, against Spain:

“It's a very difficult game for us. Like everybody knows, we are the outsiders of the group. We're trying to do our best, but always fighting for the victory.”

Bebiana Sabino (POR) - line player

On the feeling in the team before throw-off:

“We are a little bit anxious, but we are very happy to be here.”

On the group:

“We know the other teams are very strong. They participated in the last tournaments, the last European championship. We will try to do our best to show our handball is growing in Portugal, in the female gender. So, we'll try do our best, but we know the other — the opposition.”

On what she is looking forward to the most in this generation’s first major championship:

“We are making history for our country, so we will try to do better than the last participation. It's the second participation for Portugal, but for this group, it's our first participation, so we'll try to do history and do something better comparing to the last one.”

Carolina Nunes Monteiro (POR) - left wing

On Portugal’s goals at the EHF EURO:

“Firstly, it’s our — it’s my — first European Championship and for all of 17 players of Portugal, and it's important to get some experience in this competition. It's an amazing feeling to be here. Our goals — mostly [to be] competitive with tough teams, and that's it. Fight for the win, obviously, but stay the feet on the ground.”

On their first opponents, Spain:

“We saw the last two games of Spain against France and Czech Republic and, yeah, it's a lot of new players, but the quality, it stays there. It's a tough team.”