EHF Men 2020 - MUSA and Spanish reconquista

Semi-Final Day

Semi Final 1 Norway VS Croatia

First Half

Because I finished work around 5.30pm I only saw a minute or so of the first half.

Then as I waited for the 33 it was half-time.

Second Half

So bizarre that within seconds Croatia gets again at the start of the second half a 3-goal advantage after Norway had reduced the deficit.

Bergerud makes a big save on 36 minutes when KARACIC should have done better.

BLOODY HELL Norway are level now and circa 40 mins played.

Ouch as I am about to board the delayed 18h11 to Waterloo at Barnes ….Norway are now in front (42’).

Why do we have our Spanish refs when Spain are in the other semi-final?

With 11 minutes left Croatia now leads 20-19

What a beautiful goal by SAGOSEN (51’). One of my tournament’s favourite goals.

The Norwegian keeper saves with his feet (53’) and Norway have their noses in front. SNIF.

Croatia are then panicking as Norway defense steps ups psychologically as illustrated by winger error (55’)

Lucky 7-meter throw to Norway saved by Asanin.

This is when I get off at Clapham Junction and the screen stops (55’10). I get pushed by someone and I was really annoyed using bad language for a split second. It is really exciting stuff. I had to rewind the live streaming but then I am getting updates from Lorene, which are suggesting Croatia odd favourites as their supporters are standing up. I decide to go up the stairs then I stepped aside in the corridor.

Not sure how…but the three minutes are flying by…

Asanin saves a Sagosen 7-meter also on 58 minutes.

I am thinking Croatia were impressive during the tournament so they would deserve to go through. Norway not yet ready for titles on the men’s front? Too early to celebrate their NO?

Croatia are one man down until the end of the second half. DJUVNAK scores, However, with thirty seconds left, Norway levels it: it reads 23-23. Extra time it will be.

THE 4 EXTRA TIME periods

There will be 4 extra times played. LORENE supports Norway and I want Croatia against Spain in the final.

Bergerud receives the ball in the face and Stepancic does not even say sorry. Not the handball fair-play we like.

Horvat missed his shot and did not get a 7-meter whilst Norway defense could have meant a 2-minute in normal circumstances. Spanish refs helping Norway?

Norway fails to convert and inexplicably Croatia gets a golden opportunity to draw the match. MUST SCORE the penalty. Thank God.

Under Bergerud legs.

All the Croatian young ladies can be seen crying

My screen is left on the ground contaminated by red quinoa sesame

For the 3^rd extra time SEGO is back in goal.

Bloody wing goal by Norway. Croatia are back in front thanks to Horvat but on the counter Norway equalised.

I have to cover the phone’s top because LORENE keeps sending updates

As a result, Croatia gets a bit nervous and a bit too rushy Croatia are wasting more chances.

I am spending my evening in the waiting area at Clapham Junction but my hands are getting very cold indeed and I do not feel safe at all.

The Spain match is delayed then, which means though I need to rush home in order not to miss the anthems etc.

Typical announcements of week-end engineering works and delays for no reason.

BIG SAVE by Bergerud as I am losing patience. Norwegian manager goes ballistic as his team suffers an attackers’ foul.

Then comes something suspicious. WHY THE GOAL IS REFUSED TO CROATIA! Perfectly valid goal. Then the Spanish refs brandish for a heck of long time their hands but still no passive play. Favours to Norway and that said they almost scored.

Another twist in the tale. Big fall by DJUVNAK as he loses the ball.

SEGO saves and Musa breaks Oslo hearts and is the Croatian hero sparking wild celebrations.

Even CERVAR is kissing his players.

Ah the Norway manager in tears!

PEDAZO DE PARTIDO indeed

Semi Final 2 Spain VS Slovenia

First Half

After 1.45 min Slovenia in front.

Well I ran and almost missed the anthems

Vranjes doing a miracle.

Spain scoring blank after almost five minutes.

Finally Entrerrios and Gedeon drawing the game within seconds 2-2

Dolenec’s team mate, who plays for AIX cannot score impeded by the imperial hand of Gonzalo.

Not as many photographers or am I mistaken?

The Spanish fans seen at earlier rounds getting their tickets. Players family or friends

Spain eventually leading 4-3 (9’20)

Pourquoi c la guerre dixit LORENE?????

Machovsek is impressive with his bullets but Sarmiento scores another great goal 7-7 (14’45)

Bombac panicked and after a Berlin miracle, Fernandez alienates Slovenian players with an easy goal and a two-minute suspension against Dolenec

Empty goal success for Jorge followed by powerful ENTRERRIOS making it 11-8

Sarmiento manages to find some space then Fernandez extends Spain’s lead 13-9 (20’45)

Spain is said to have the oldest team on average.

Julen comes to the party 16-12 (24’15)

Fifth consecutive semi-final for Spain

Gedeon challenged the Czech refs.

Fernandez on the perfect 5 out of 5 with 25 mins on the clock.

Dolenec gives Slovenia a bit of hope 18-15 (27’15)

Marvellous DJU with a lovely goal a minute later.

Keepers have a low save rates with 35 aggregate goals in the first half

KEMPE 20-15 at the break by an excellent combination finished by the captain.

Second Half

VIRAN runs to a funny goal 22-16 (35’)

Bombac had cleared the way for his team mate then Janc punishes Spain to reduce the scoreline 23-19 (37’30)

A costly 2-minute suspension to Slovenia. Pretty Spanish fan disappointed by missed penalty (39’45)

Gomez from Barcelona scores a deft goal from his defence towards the empty net. I do not like this strategy but this one was truly impressive and Viran acknowledges 25-20 (40’40)

Bombac eventually gets through the 5-1 Spanish defence 26-23 (44’)

But Entrerrios keeps the healthy lead whereas Cingesar from AIX gets his goal 27-24 (45’45)

Gonzalo gets the ball in such a manner that it almost looks insulting two minutes later.

It is not the keepers’ day though!

Cheeky Cingesar with a deft lob with 11 minutes left 28-25

Julen rides his luck 29-25 and Vranjes gets two minutes.

Finally KASTELIC gets first save.

No BLA BLA BLAGOTINSEK scores a lovely goal 29-26 (51’15)

Like his dad DJU scores a very important goal, which means a 4-goal lead for Spain.

KASTELIC too slow to get into position and GEDEON makes the most of it 31 -27 (53’)

Finally we are seeing the Spanish WAGS like in HERNING in 2014.

What a steal by DJU. INCREDIBLE !!!! At a key moment. Four minutes left.

CEHTE is reducing Spain’s advantage 32-30 with 57 minutes played.

Interesting time out for Spain where players expressed different opinions.

DJU scores a key goal 3- goal advantage (58’)

Canellas does a mistake and it is 33-32 with 4 seconds gained out of nowhere.

The Czech refs helping Spain, hence the wrath of Slovenia then DJU scores brilliantly with 9 seconds left on the clock 34-32