What the coaches say – that’s what I will do, - Latvia’s best handball player

Photo: LETA

Latvia’s best handball player Dainis Kristopans is ready to take on any role assigned to him by the national team coach, the athlete stated in an interview with the Latvian Handball Federation (LHF), reports LETA.

Kristopans has returned to the national team after several qualifying cycles and will help the team in the preliminary qualifying matches for the 2027 World Championship. Currently, the Latvia national team is training in Dobele, after which they will head to Luxembourg for the games.

"It’s always nice to come back home. So far, we have only had one training day, so it will take a little more time to get used to it. The main ones here are, of course, the coaches, and I’m here to help the team. I don’t have a clearly defined role – whatever the coaches say, that’s what I will do," Kristopans is quoted by the Latvian Handball Federation (LHF).

"Previously, the national team had an unsuccessful experience playing against Luxembourg, so I take the upcoming matches very seriously. It won’t be easy – after a long break, the team needs to gel in a very short time. We will have to use some tricks and concentrate as much as possible to achieve the desired result," Kristopans added.

The extended list of candidates includes 32 players, but currently, 18 are preparing for the upcoming matches.

The head coach of the national team, Margots Valkovskis, will be assisted by goalkeeper coach Andris Molotans, as well as Latvian Alexander Peterson, who played for the Icelandic national team.

Extended squad of the Latvia men's handball team:

Goalkeepers: – Ritvars Putra ("Tenax" Dobele) – Nik Lagzda ("Chenois Geneve", Switzerland) – Lauris Matisans ("Latgols")

Left wingers: – Richard Yuzups ("Tenax" Dobele) – Kristers Sukharev ("Tenax" Dobele)

Left backs: – Janis Pavel Valkovskis ("2000 Coburg", Germany) – Leonard Valkovskis ("2000 Coburg", Germany) – Emil Kurzemnieks ("Tenax" Dobele) – Einar Borisov ("Latgols")

Line players: – Evgeny Rogonov ("Villa de Aranda", Spain) – Arturs Meikshans ("Serviti" Pylva, Estonia)

Playmakers: – Andis Kushners ("Hordur Isafjordur", Iceland) – Raul Erland Serafimovich ("Stralsunder", Germany)

Right backs: – Dainis Kristopans ("Melsungen", Germany) – Valdis Kalnins (ASK/MSĢ) – Krist Vidzis (ASK/MSĢ)

Right wingers: – Nikita Panchenko ("Tenax" Dobele) – Martins Misulis ("Tenax" Dobele)