Interview with Péter Gulyás about the Balaton Cup

 

Last week the Balaton Cup was held in Veszprém for the 29th year in a row, and it happened to be most prestigious one ever, and it was a good measure for the strength of our youth and youth system in the European elite. We Audemars Piguet Replica Watches asked our Youth Director, Péter Gulyás, about the impressions of the cup.

 

 

It was organized outstandingly, with high level of handball. There were great games.

 

The two Norwegian teams Bakkelaget and Drammen were new, so as Valur Reykjavík, Barcelona and Berlin, also it was the first time for Rudar and Izvidac as well. We knew these teams from stories and saw some videos but we were aware of the level they represent and it showed itself on every game they played. All games were close and it was decided at the end almost every time, mainly because of physical reasons. I think the biggest difference was six goals in this tournament, which shows the balance in the strength of the teams. All teams represented a different culture, but it did not show on the court.

 

Celje, Zagreb and Dugo Selo are experienced Balaton Cup participants. Every team improved from itself since last year and every player improved a lot. There are a lot of talented players that we are going to see soon on international level. Celje finished a bit worse than everyone expected, but it was mainly because of their injured players and call ups to the first team. Regardless of their final position, their game knowledge and system did not change at all, I think.

 

 

Every All-Star player is versatile and special in something. In my opinion, we will see these players in the future, unless they suffer some serious injuries. Every team had great players so I would not say any names right now. The thing that surprised us was Zubri’s many great players and their togetherness. We saw a player in Izvidac who will definitely go on top in the future. I think that from Reykjavík and the Norwegian teams, there will be somebody who will be an international in their own national teams.

 

We talked to everyone and all of them has a system, and certain thought about the game. We asked the Icelandic team about their secret because they represent great handball with only 300 thousand citizens in the country. Berlin, Barcelona and every other team has a certain system that they use and certain thoughts. We also have our own system. The Norwegian teams have already processed their experience and the informed us that they would like to return next year, but they know that they are weaker physically than other teams and they will train more physically. We are continuing the work as well, there have already been discussions with the staff what can we learn about this cup and what should we do differently. We have to pay attention to players individually more, this is our experience.

 

 

It has improved in quality that is for sure! Quality handball was present in every game, every day. The staff behind the cup did everything to have a highly organized and they were looking at every wish of the participants. We are waiting for evaluation sheets from the participating teams, about how they saw the tournament. I saw positive things in the organization and the games itself, that can be taken to an even higher level in the upcoming years.

 

Next year it will be the 30th Balaton Cup, so we are planning to have a banger! Higher quality and bigger venues and also bigger quality of handball that we are thinking about. A positive note, 1200 people were curious about the final and our 2002 age group played their games with full house as well in the Noszlopy Secondary School. It looked like an American movie where the students and teacher were cheering for the players together. It forms a community, I am sure about this. These full house games build a community while the futsal and basketball players root for the handball players. I hope, one day, we can give this support back to them.

 

Thank you!