Cristina Neagu withdrew after 25 years spent in the world of handball. At almost 37, one of the world’s best handball players played his last match. The event “Gala Neagu – the withdrawal of a legend” was held at the Multipurpose Hall in Bucharest.
Cristiana Neagu, the greatest athlete in the history of Romanian handball Photo: Cristina Neagu-FB
Great names from the Romanian and international handball, but also the family, colleagues and many fans participated. The room was full, and among the important guests was the President of Romania, Nicușor Dan. He offered him a bouquet of flowers Cristina Neagu, then invited to execute a blow from 7 meters and attended the withdrawal match in the stands.
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Cristina Neagu withdrew from the world of photo handball: FB /Cristina Neagu
Cristina Neagu took pictures with everyone, gave autographs, offered statements, laughed and cried. Also, during the event the best handball player in the history of Romania received the order “Olympic Excellence” from Mihai Covaliu, president of COSR.
“I think the whole season was a strength tour for me, not only today. I am honestly impressed by what is happening here today … I can’t believe that many people came, there are many. They stayed there for pictures and autographs, I feel the emotion of this day. I am super excited and I was happy. Excited, I am a man and I feel everything that happens around me.said Cristina Neagu.
And the famous Nadia Comăneci sent a message to Cristina Neagu.
“Dear Cristina, thank you. Thank you for everything you did for the Romanian sport. You are an extraordinary athlete and an exceptional man. Because of you, the Romanian female handball has earned her reputation and appreciation at international level. You are and you will always remain a handball and a model. What you have achieved and very successful in everything you have chosen to do.said Nadia Comăneci, on fb.
The withdrawal match brought two teams made up of known athletes.
The World Stars team had as a coach Dragan Adzic, and on the field were Jelena Grubisic, Saraba Dembele, Carmen Martin, Radmila Petrovic, Dragana Cvijic, Emilie Arntzen, Elizabeth Homigie, Djina Jaukovic, Andrea Lekic, Isabelle Gulden, Katarina Bulatovic, Linnea Torstenson, Bojana Popovic and Alexandrina Barbosa.
The Home Legends team was coached by Maria Covaci, the one who discovered Cristina Neagu, at 12. On the field were big names of the Romanian handball: Luminiţa Huţupan Dinu, Paula Ungureanu, Iulia Curea, Alice Elisei Ardean, Cristina Vărzaru, Adriana Nechita, Ionela Stanca, Crina Pintea, Oana Manea, Adina Meiroşu, Gabriela Perianu, Aurelia Brădeanu, Elizi Bursi, Melinda Vizitiu, Ionica Munteanu, Denisa Şandru, Felicia Pârvu, Ana Luca and Cristina Neagu.
Four titles of the world’s best player
Born in the Capital, Cristina Neagu started handball at the age of 12, at CSȘ no. 5 from Bucharest. As a senior he also played for HC Activ Ploiești, Bearing Brașov, Oltchim Rm. Vâlcea and Zrk Buducnost Podgorica, according to Agerpres.
In December 2023, Cristina Neagu announced her withdrawal from the national team, at the return of the lot from the World Championship in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Its palemare comprises, among others, the Champions League (with Buducnost Podgorica, in 2015), a bronze medal at the world (2015), a bronze medal (2010).
Its individual track record has four best-player titles (IHF), in 2010, 2015, 2016, 2018, the best player of the 2015 CM, whose goalscorer was, the best European player in 2017, 2018, the all-time goalscorer of the European Championship, the Golgheter of the European Championship in 2010, the Golgheter of the Lig. Champions.
