“I don’t know if I’m crazy or not, but I love high-pressure games”

Goalkeepers are a special kind of person and an essential part of a team. They stand last in the line of defence while having the opportunity to shift the momentum of the game. To be among the best of them is not an easy task, but Gabriela Moreschi's hard work has paid off. Known for her agility, sharp instincts and positive attitude on and off the court, the Brazilian goalkeeper has travelled a long way from home to represent clubs in Norway, France, Germany and Romania.

To stand between the posts and face powerful shots coming towards you game after game, you need courage and confidence. Some choose this position; some are chosen for it. For Gabriela Moreschi, there is no doubt — she cannot imagine herself in any other role.

“You have to be a little crazy, yes,” says Moreschi, laughing. “But, actually, I was chosen. In my hometown, I went with my cousin to her handball training, and the coach saw me. He said, ‘Oh my God, you're so tall, and we need a goalkeeper.' He thought I’d be good at it and I gave it a try. After that, I never left the goal. It wasn’t something I planned, but I’m so glad it happened. It turns out he had a good feeling.”

From that moment on things simply started rolling. Leaving Brazil for Europe was a major turning point for Moreschi's career. First, she moved to Norway to join Flint Tønsberg, followed by a stint at Larvik. Then she spent one year with Măgura Cisnădie in Romania before settling in France at Fleury Loiret. The transition was not easy but, despite all the struggles, it made her who she is today. It was in Germany where she reached another level, which ultimately led her to CSM Bucuresti.

“Coming to Norway from Brazil was a big step for me. I'm glad that I did this step because I think it was important for me, but when I look back at it, I wasn't ready for it. I was too young and I felt like a fish out of the water. I had a feeling I was years behind the European girls and goalkeepers because they had a chance to play at a higher level and I wasn't speaking English so good back then,” says Moreschi. 

“However, I took small steps and was progressing little by little. The first big change was when I moved to France. That was the first time I was the number one goalkeeper and it changed everything. You know the team relies on you, but something that shaped me the most was the time in Germany. I knew who I wanted to be. I was fully focused on my job and had an important role in the Champions League. The team depended on me and the coach trusted me a lot. With the amazing connection between us, we did great things.” 

And the success did not come overnight. It was all about preparation, and Moreschi is meticulous. “I watch a lot of videos,” the goalkeeper shares.

“I like to watch full matches, especially to see what players do in important moments. It also depends on whether I've played against that player before or not. Players study us too, so I try to find patterns in their shooting. After, I try to implement that into the training — I ask my teammates to shoot a couple of times these shots I have watched. I also make notes and draw where they shoot…I do real scouting so by the time the game starts, I feel prepared."

It sounds easy, but it is not all about analysis. Instincts and a feeling between the posts are important pieces of the puzzle on which Moreschi also relies. The key is in the perfect balance and being ready to act in unpredictable moments on the court.

“I study the opponents before, but I also don't like to stick too much to that. I like also to have my feeling, you know. Right now in my career, I reached a point where I can balance those two things. Handball is so dynamic and it depends a lot on the block, on the players' shots — how they adapt their shots because of me, as I'm a tall goalkeeper. In the beginning, I will react according to the video, but as the match progresses I will adapt my reaction to what I saw in the game and what I feel at that moment for each player. Like, OK, you changed your shot after the first two. We're on. The game is on,” says Moreschi.

“As a goalkeeper, you can’t overthink. It's a hard job and in those moments, you have to act quickly. By the time the shot is taken, you already need to have decided what to do. If you start thinking, it’s too late. I’ve learned to trust my training and make decisions based on what I know. If I get it wrong, I’ll think about it later, but at the moment, there’s no time for regret."

For any goalkeeper, the relationship with the defence is crucial. The communication and mutual respect are key if you want to make your opponents struggle in attack and feel nervous. It seems Moreschi pulled that off in the EHF Champions League Women 2023/24 season — she made the most saves in the competition, 216, at a rate of 32 per cent.

“I speak a lot with my defence. Communication is the most important thing between the goalkeeper and the defence. We have our basic rules, but sometimes things don’t work out as planned, and we have to adapt on the spot. Before the game, I talk with my defenders about what works for them and what’s best for me, so we’re on the same page. And during the game, I’ll tell them if something isn’t working, like whether we should close off the wing or if I’ll take the shot. It’s all about making adjustments as we go,” explains Moreschi.

“I know they will make mistakes. I know I will do them too, but I don't care about that. I know they have a hard job in front of me and we need to learn together from our mistakes. We say sorry and look towards the next shot. For me, it is really important that I feel safe and comfortable with my defenders.”

While there are tactics involved when the goalkeeper is working with their defensive players, when it comes to fast breaks and penalty shots, it is all about reading the opponent. Goalkeepers are required to decide in a split second and when the decision is made there is no time for second-guessing. And Moreschi has triumphed there too — she also made the most penalty saves in last season’s Champions League (18).

“For me, penalties are a mental game. It’s all about showing confidence to the opponent. Last season, I felt really confident, and I studied the players a lot. I watched five matches just to see where players preferred to shoot their penalties. When I go into a game, I’m thinking about their options and what they’ll do," says Moreschi. 

“When a player comes for a penalty, I stand tall and look confident. I think it makes it harder for them to shoot. Because seven metres are like a science for me — every player has their favourite corner. You try to read them. A mind game, really. And I try to make them second-guess themselves.”

Mistakes and therefore conceding goals are inevitable, otherwise, as Moreschi says, we would not have a handball game. However, the star goalkeeper does not dwell on her mistakes — she uses them as an opportunity to get even better.

“In my mind, I always know it could go good or bad. If I miss a save, I don’t think it’s because I wanted to miss — it’s because I had to act quickly, and sometimes the decision was wrong. But I don’t overthink it. So I always say, ‘Gabi, you should have this one when she comes for the next shot. You should be better.’ And that's it. And of course, I can't reveal all of my secrets!” she says.

How does Moreschi deal with pressure? When the blood is pumping, the fans are on edge, every second counts and you can have to make a decisive move.

“I don’t know if I’m crazy or not, but I love high-pressure games,” she laughs again. “Those are my favourite kinds of situations — where it’s all or nothing. I don't know what happens, but I got some real fire inside and motivation that can't be compared with anything that I experienced before. I felt that in the Olympics when we needed to win and the Champions League. The crowd, the atmosphere — it gives me extra fire, and I love that feeling,” says Moreschi.

As handball continues to evolve, the pace of the game has increased significantly, and shots are getting stronger. The progress only confirms the importance of the goalkeeping position. For Moreschi, it just means she needs to push herself even further.

"The game is much faster now, and the players are stronger too. Before, there were maybe two or three players who could shoot really hard, but now it feels like everyone can. Even players I hadn’t noticed before will surprise me — like, oh my God, this shot hurts! Wings are getting more creative, seven-on-six play is also a big thing now, and it all made us goalkeepers step up. The training is harder, with new approaches, and we have to be prepared for everything.

“It's not just because I'm the goalkeeper, but for me, that position is worth almost half of the team — together with defence. We can decide the outcome and produce fast breaks for the team. A good goalkeeper and defence can boost the attack's confidence. When we look back at top Champions League matches, we can see the winner is almost always the team with a good number of saves or the one with important saves.”

After all the analysis and preparation, before stepping onto the court, Moreschi has rituals that help her find peace and focus.

"I always pray before a match," she says. "My teammates know this about me. They wait for me to clap hands because I’m praying in the locker room. I pray for myself, my teammates, and the other team, hoping that no one gets injured. I don’t pray to play well. I just pray for peace and happiness on the court. That’s my biggest ritual."

One thing that stands out about Moreschi is her constant smile on the court. It is a reflection of how much she enjoys playing handball, and a vital part of how she maintains her confidence and positivity.

"People sometimes ask why I’m smiling, and sometimes it looks like I'm smiling to the opponent — like, in a sarcastic way or something. But it's just that I'm happy while playing handball. For me, being happy is key to performing well.

“It was always my dream to play the Champions League and be good in the national team. So, when it's time for training or the game, no matter what is going on outside of the court, I say, 'this is my happy place. Nothing else matters. I'm doing what I love.' So that's why I'm smiling that much,” concludes Moreschi.

September 2024

main image © Axel Heimken / kolektiff