Unified handball team loses debut
The head coach of the unified Korean men’s handball team has praised his players for showing their fighting spirit even though they suffered a defeat in a historic world championship debut.
The unified Korean men’s handball team poses for a photo with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, sixth from left in second row, and other officials at the International Handball Federation World Men’s Handball Championship at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin on Thursday. [YONHAP]
“Honestly, there was a lot of pressure for us to play against the world’s top team Germany in the opening match,” said Cho Young-shin, a South Korean head coach who leads the Korean squad at the worlds. “But I told the players that we should give a meaningful performance to the crowd here with our joint effort.”
The Koreas agreed to combine their men’s handball teams at a meeting of sports administrators on Nov. 2 last year. The unified team of 16 South Koreans and four North Koreans, began training together in Berlin on Dec. 22.
“We had a short period of time to build our teamwork, but we tried our best,” he said. “Even though we were the underdogs, our players weren’t intimidated by the opponents, and I want to praise our players for that.”
Korea is in Group A with Germany, Russia (world No. 4), France (No. 5), Serbia (No. 6) and Brazil (No. 27). Cho’s side will next face Russia at the same venue Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (11:30 p.m. in Seoul).
“We don’t have tall players, but we’ll maximize the pace of our players and will display organized moves in the next match,” he said.
Team captain Jung Su-young from South Korea said the players earned good experience.
“Although we dropped our opening match, we will work hard to play better in the remaining games at the tournament.”
Yonhap
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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