Evgeny Trefilov has has an amazing four years, he took gold at the women´s World Championship in 2005 and 2007. A total of three gold WCh medals, lest we forget the 2001 WC in Romania. In 2006, team Russia won the silver medal at EURO 2006 and last summer the 2008 Olympics Games, once again Trefilov took silver. This was the first medal for women´s Russian handball - something that he is keen to repeat in 2012. Evgeny Trefilov, born in1955, began his coaching career in 1984 in Krasnodar. He gained more experience working with Vladimir Maksimov as the assistant coach of the Men's national team that became the world champion in 1997.  In 1998 Trefilov began to work with women´s club teams and he has led the women´s national team since taking the assignment in 2000.

Coach comments

”After the 2008 edition of the Olympic Games in Beijing last summer, the Russian national team has undergone a significant transformation and at the 9th European Championship in FYR Macedonia, a new team will be showcased. Team Russia is now standing on the threshold of difficult beginnings and at the same time very interesting work in relation to the preparation for the European Championship. I do believe in the new generation and have high hopes in their sport potential and progression!”

Suslina was born in Russia in 1979 and has spent the past 18 years playing professional handball. In 1997, she signed her first contract with ”Rostselmash” Rostov. She has played for several clubs, however in 2008, she transferred to Zveda Zvenigorod. With her club team, she is back playing in the Champions League. The talented goalkeeper stands at 1 meter 84 and has made hundreds of international appearances for Russia at all the major sporting events over the past years. So far, her efforts have netted her 3 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medal. Her experience is of great value to the newly constructed Russian team.

Born in Yaroslavl City in Russia, Postnova began playing handball in school and signed to HC Lada in 2003 at the age of 19. In the same year, she also made her first appearance for her national team. With 461 goals scored in 121 international matches. Since signing to HC Lada, she has spent every season playing in the Champions League with the best players that Europe has to offer. Her medal count is currently three, and her aim at the European Championship in FYR Macedonia is to expand on this and bring another medal home to Russia. With her undoubted skill in the left back position, this is a possible dream.

Born in the Krasnodar region of Russia, Irina began playing handball at the age of 10. In the three years since her selection to the national team, Bliznova has played 67 top international matches and has put 216 goals at the back of her opponents´ net. It would be a mistake to classify the four-time medal winner as a novice; Bliznova has been signed to Champions League club HC Lada since 2004 and her knowledge of most of the players at EURO 2008 is immense. The right back has spent so much time training for this top event and having a strong sporting mentality, she brings with her a sharpened competitive edge.