EHF Men 2020 - Monday not so mad

Monday ‘s matches

Match number 2 Spain vs Belarus

FIRST HALF 

Sole reduces the Belarus advantage 1-2 (3’30)

Spain gets a generous penalty a minute later and dispatched by Sole again 2-3

The Belarus player just gave the ball back earlier as if they were training together

That black jersey looks horrible

Spain are looking pedestrian by over-confidence. They will turn up later I am sure 2-5 (6’)

Gonzalo saves brilliantly and Entrerríos perforates the defense 4-5 (7’15)

Belarus picks up the loose ball but wastes time instead of having a go and to no effect.

Karalek subsequently punishes his team with a 7-meter and a 2-minute suspension 5-6 (10’)

Superb free kick but just off-target by Belarus, which means Joan draws level 6-6 (12’)

Follows an excellent defense by Joan.

Julén then comes on and it‘s now 7-6 (13’)

VAILLU is Vaillant and plays like Valou 7-7 (13’35)

Virán gets a lucky escape and there is no 2-min for him.

Nice play with line player by Belarus 9-9 (16’45).

Huge rhythm at 100 mile per hour as 11-11 (17’45)!!!!

Slower now as 12-12 (20’45) but deservedly Belarus are staying in touch.

Why the refs are not giving two minutes to Spanish players?

Penalty wrong footed and 12-13 (21’)

Ironically. Why this time? It was the same move and here’s a different outcome. Two minutes for the Belarus player (23’)

Now Spain and Belarus, both on 15 goals

Sole is so easy and makes it 16-15 (27’)

What a save by Gonzalo but Ribera takes a time out.

Belarus are up for it 16-16 (29’) after intelligent reverse pass.

Julén is lucky to get a 7-meter and Sole keep his cool: Spain leading by one at the interval 17-16.

But the connection struggled just as it was crunch time as we got off at Clapham Junction.

Once on the train to Balham, it dwindles and the image quality deteriorates or it stops completely and my frustration increases.

SECOND HALF

VAILLANT VAILLU draws level 18-18 (32’)

Sarmiento and Gomez are on field and they both score with their first shots

Despite ref calling for passive play, Karalek combines well to make it 19-19 (33’30)

But Spain keeps its lead 20-19 (34’) and even 21-19 being two by A DJU (35’)

Within seconds A DJU gets a two-minute suspension and the 7-meter throw is brilliantly saved by Gonzalo (35’45)

Now it is a 3- goal lead (36’), even five on 39’30

Spain’s unbeaten run continues.

A c heap 2-minute to Belarus misfortune as Julén won a 7-meter throw as well (42’)

It is now 26-21 (42’45)

You now see a few more Spanish fans including the lady who wears the Spain QATAR glasses.

Red card for KARALEK

Jorge Maqueda fierce rebound makes it a 6-goal advantage (43’20)

That two-minute given to Entrerrios was not given earlier, why now? IE now that the game is well beyond Belarus reach. BELARUS so dismayed or bemused that they missed an easy pass (46’30)

Another huge feet save by Gonzalo. He will probably be GRUNDFOS man of the match!

Fernandez dances to 30-23 (48’). Follows loss of appetite from the Minsk boys 31-24 (50’)

Rebound off the crossbar and Fernandez cannot believe his luck and scores an easy one 32-24 (51’)

Maqueda has a long-range strike into the empty net for a 16-8 in the second half so far; and a 6 out of 6 for Fernandez after deft save by Gonzalo with 5 minutes left on the clock. I note that he tends to play well when he wears this dark blue top.

Now, three minutes left, and there is a 10-goal lead!

Finally hearing Spanish fans singing loudly VIVA ESPANA.

Worth noting that the Belarus keeper hardly made any save in the second half.

In the end it finishes in Vienna with Spain 37 – Belarus 28.
Spain are in the semis and Vienna would have been good but I cannot be everywhere. All the Spanish players celebrating with the fans by the playing field

I had predicted Spain win by 9. I should have made the effort of logging my bets at the start because I would have won something free of charge. But which contest? I cannot remember. Were travel and accommodation included???

Match number 3 Austria vs Germany

FIRST HALF

Bilyk scores and Austria in the lead within less than a minute.

Bozovic strikes a wonderful shot to make it 2 a piece (4’35)

Proper atmosphere

Austria energised by Frimmel qui frimme 4-2 (6’30)

Uwe scores into the empty net 7-6 (12’45)

Pekeler had a foot inside when he equalised and Frimmel gets a 2-minute suspension 9-9 (17’)

Posch and Pekeler both score as there are 20 goals as we approach minute 20. How funny!

Bitter is not bitter and saves the 7-meter.

Chastening Kastening ensuring Germany with a 2-goal lead 10-12 (21’45)

Weber fires on the side to reduce scoreline to 11-12 (22’30)

Five minutes before the interval and the atmosphere is not as deafening as Germany keeps its 2-goal lead 12-14

Kastening missing an easy opportunity to get a surprising 5-goal lead.

Bitter keeps Austria at bay.

Santos reduces the deficit just before the interval 13-16

SECOND HALF

Newcomer Golla has a goal appetite scoring number 17 for Germany on 31 minutes

Three minutes later it is a 6-goal lead for Germany 13-19

Austria are fading in their attacks as evidenced by the failed wrist effect by Frimmel (37’)

Heavy price as Germany up by six 15-21 (38’)

The difference is BITTER with a 63% save rate.

It is now 18-24 with 42 minutes played: HOW SPOOKY!

Things are getting worse for Austria 18-26 (45’)

PEKELER from the middle of the court makes it a 10-goal advantage (19-29) with just over ten minutes left on the clock.

Stats are not very useful as the number of passes does not mean anything given the gulf in class all things being equal.

Four minutes left on the clock and Andersson must have enjoyed Bitter’s save despite being part of Austria coaching team

Germany are enjoying themselves 21-33 (56’25)

The game is well and truly finished 22-34. Germany wins the DERBY.

Unsurprisingly BITTER gets the man of the match award.