Netherlands is thriving with the World Championship on home ground and has fulfilled a goal to play for medals. In a wider perspective there are hopes that the scopes of success will boost Handball in a major sports country.
Henrik Signell is in charge of the endeavour to get Netherlands to a possible podium. Meanwhile, there’s an interest for the game action of the orange national team that surprise even the seasoned Swede.
– Everyone is dressed in orange like as accustomary for sports in this country, he says to GoHandball.
– It’s a fantastic setting, I’ve never experienced the atmosphere that is created. They have their songs, they come long before the matches and afterwards everyone stays and dances and sings, Signell continues.
Though Netherlands had an uplifting period with championship medals several years in a row from 2015 onwards the fact that world class handball truly has come to country could be an important factor – for much needed development.
– It is a relatively small handball nation, with significantly fewer players than, for example, Germany and France. This means a lot, first and foremost in increasing interest in playing handball, the coach says with a current example.
– Right now there aren’t that many players, I can’t pick and choose, if someone quits it’s not just about filling in so there’s a little to work with.
Abbingh speaks out
In a recent thorough talk with sportsnieuws.nl, back court star Lois Abbingh speaks of the special feeling of a home World Cup in different aspects.
With 34 medals in the last summer olympics, handball is another project Netherlands could take to their soul and at the same time, incorporate the well-oiled structure.
– That more young players start playing handball is a basic requirement, to have a selection and good youth activities.
– Then it has given us in the team a sign of what we can do, when all individual players return to their club teams for the next part of the season, self-confidence will have increased. The things outside, whether it is profitable financially or not is a later question but it would be positive for the federation, Signell adds.
For the moment, Netherlands face a huge challenge playing Norway in the semifinal Friday evening.
– Of course they have been impressive so far, but there is a small question mark as they have not faced any of the best nations, says Signell – with the medal matches ahead and a capable squad that is fueled by the fans.
– We have been very stable against the less good teams and we beat France. In that match, there has been speculation that they did not give everything but for me it is quite obvious that they really wanted to win considering how they acted during and after the match.
– So far I am super satisfied. My task now is to make us aware, we should not feel that the work is done and that we are satisfied, says Signell.