For her club coach, Gassama is an integral part of the Spanish team.
“We signed her at Bietigheim because she is a good player. And we are happy at the club that so many of our players are here at the EHF EURO. This is a proof of quality for us,” Gaugisch said.
“Kaba has excellent physical skills, you simply cannot stop her. It is really hard to defend her – and Lysa Tchaptchet. Both are tall, have a strong physical presence. And I am sure, Spain are scouting exactly for this kind of line players, as they fit to their style of play.”
Confronted with Gaugisch’s statements, Gassama just started laughing.
“He said this only because I am in his team, he tried to put a pressure on his defence,” she said. “The Spanish tactics really consist of strong pivots. Spain is famous for a good cooperation with back court players and pivots.”
When playing in attack, Gassama mostly be up against Germany defence boss Xenia Smits, a teammate at Bietigheim.
“When I met her in the team hotel, I said to her: I know you do this and that, and I wait for this and that to score,” Gassama said. “But she knows me too, like Jule Maidhof, who might also defend against me.”
While there are still many options for the final standings in group D – Montenegro are through, but apart from Spain and Germany, Poland are also in the race for the main round – most likely either Gassama with Spain or Germany will fly home after Wednesday’s match.
“Of course, it could be that we are sending Markus and Germany home,” Gassama said. “But I am here with the national team of Spain, so no question about this.”
photos © 2022 Anze Malovrh / kolektiff
Kaba has excellent physical skills, you simply cannot stop her. It is really hard to defend her – and Lysa Tchaptchet. Both are tall, have a strong physical presence. Exactly this kind of line players fit to the Spanish style of play.
