The Hungarian women’s handball national team participating at the World Championships held in Japan has a day off on Thursday, after having played four matches.

Petra Vámoshas played in all of them so far, while Noémi Pásztor has been a backup player. Their former coach, Szilárd Kiss jr. talked about them.

Kim Rasmussen has nominated a young team for the World Championships, including two former NEKA players, Petra Vámos and Noémi Pásztor.

“Of course, I was very pleased and surprised to see Petra join the world championship team as she had no experience at this level before. As we are talking about a championships involving Olympic qualification, the stakes are really high, and I feared for her a little bit in this field, she has to learn a lot, but obviously she knows that, too. But she may be capable, she may be able to become a stable squad member in the future, especially as the tendency of young players replacing older ones in the team continues. This tournament in Japan is a great learning opportunity for her. I keep my fingers crossed for her, because right now she is in the spotlight, but I can say the same about all former NEKA students” – said Szilárd Kiss jr.

Petra Vámos,when given the opportunity, plays without being intimidated at all by the magnitude of the event, at these World Championships, doing her tasks well in both attack and defense, as well as having scored five goals in four games.

“Petra has a rhythm of her own when playing handball, which suits her, and based on that she can perform well. It is important that she uses her speed and explosiveness, since those are her strengths. Last year she played in the second division team of NEKA, showed outstanding performances, was a real leader, and I absolutely believed in her capabilities to stand her ground in the first division as well. When in the spring talk surfaced that she was leaving the academy at the age of 19 signing for Debrecen, we feared for her, but we supported her at the same time and felt that she had everything to be able to reach that level. Those few months playing in the first division were needed for her to make it to the national team”.

The Hungarian national team left for Asia weeks ago, and hopefully more matches are to follow in their schedule. But how can this all be handled by young players like Petra Vámos or the other NEKA educated player Noémi Pásztor, who is at the moment a substitute?

“Petra is smart enough, and she had always been consequently building herself up. I think this is how she approaches it once again, and she uses this tournament for that purpose. I do not see it on her that she would be intimidated, she needs to get experience, and if she also pairs it with the right confidence in herself, then such an opportunity will surely move her forward and she can come up with the right performance. She has already proven in her age group, at the European Championships in the summer, that she can concentrate unbelievably well. Of course, she has to reach the adult level and for that she needs such high-profile and intense matches. Noémi Pásztor has got international experience and can show her skills not only at national league matches but also at the Ferencváros champions league clashes, so I feel she also will get the chance to play in Japan” – voiced Szilárd Kiss jr. his opinion.