Andreea Munteanu won in Montpellier Romania’s 12th beam European title. A medal that came to appease by a tiny fraction an otherwise tough competition for her team.
With only four spots in the finals, two for Andreea (beam and floor final) and two for the all around final (through Diana Bulimar and Laura Jurca), Romania looked in rough shape.This beam final spot was Romania’s only solid shot at a medal and Andreea managed to turn it into gold. Beyond all the (fair) criticism for the way in which the Romanian team presented itself in Montpellier, nothing should be taken away from Andreea. This was her success and we should manage to separate the personal celebration from the team’s scarce performances.
There were years of hard work and many coaches worked alongside her, building up towards this title. (You can find them listed here, on puzzlegym.ro). I managed to reach Lacramioara Moldovan, Andreea’s beam coach of four years, and have a brief chat:
TCG: When did you become coach of the senior national team and what part of preparation are you handling at Izvorani?
Lacramioara Moldovan: I became coach of the Olympic National team in Izvorani in December 2012 and I am a beam coach.
TCG: What are the qualities of a gymnast that can reach outstanding performance on beam? How do you know when you are dealing with a “beamer”?
Lacramioara Moldovan: Balance, dexterity, courage and hard work. When a gymnast is constant in execution both in training and in competition.
TCG: What is your greatest achievement as a coach? And what is your goal, what would you consider to be your biggest success?
Lacramioara Moldovan: Andreea’s beam medal at the recent European championships. My objective and the biggest success at the same time would be an Olympic medal.
TCG: When did you start working with Andreea?
Lacramioara Moldovan: I have known and coached Andreea since February 2011.
TCG: What was the evolution of the beam Andrea in recent years? Has she reached the top of the form on this apparatus?
Lacramioara Moldovan: Andreea’s best routine on this apparatus was in the team final at the Nanning World Championships, when she also reached a top shape. Too bad she didn’t manage the same routine in qualifications to allow her access to the finals.
TCG: She was not originally on the nominative list for Romania for this European Championships, what were the reasons and how was her addition to the team decided? Was this a situation similar to 2012 when she was almost a surprise introduction to the European junior team?
Lacramioara Moldovan: She had some problems in preparation therefore she was not originally on the list of representatives from the European Championships, but after Larisa Iordache’s injury it was decided that she would be the fourth Romanian gymnast at the Euros. It was not a situation similar to 2012 because that time she was the best gymnast of Romanian team.
TCG: What will you tell Andreea when you will meet upon return home?
Lacramioara Moldovan: She knew I was supporting her and I encouraged her to be sure of her abilities. Upon returning home I will congratulate her, of course.
TCG: How is the training of the other gymnasts going, mainly the rest of the Nanning team that didn’t travel to Euros?
Lacramioara Moldovan: All the girls are training for each meet as they come, depending on their health.
TCG: Who are the athletes targeted for the next big meet, the European Games, who is working to “make it” to the team for Baku?
Lacramioara Moldovan: All the senior gymnasts are fighting for a spot in the Baku team.
TCG: Will there be any friendly matches before the European Games?
Lacramioara Moldovan: Yes there is competition in Turin between May 29-June 1.
Article by: Bea Gheorghisor
Photo Cover: Andreea Munteanu and Lacramioara Moldovan, during the beam final at 2012 Jr Euros, photos by Grace Chiu and Els de Nil