NORWAY / AUSTRIA / SWEDEN EHF 2020 Day Four Low scoring matches

Portugal – Bosnia whilst Czech Republic – Macedonia amongst others

FIRST HALF 

Penalty for Portugal after Areia is in right area 1-0 (2.35)

Not rushing as if masters of the world

Huge Portuguese jump, after exchange of passes, and it is 2-1 two minutes later

Ovcina has a brilliant wing goal. Lovely goal to make it 2-2 on 6 minutes

Stubborn and energetic red wave 4-3 on 7 minutes

But Bosnia stuck at it.

However, Portugal outwit with another interesting goal with rebound by ferraz. Portugal leading by three on 11 minutes (7-4)

They are using a 6-nil

It is 5-5 in Czech Republic vs Macedonia. Macedonia in front after a great throw from their keeper, well known, for an easy goal for the line player.

Poor counter by Bosnia

It took me a while to have the password reset whilst at the Balham bar FIREFLY.

Borges is not very arty but efficient as labours to 9-6 lead (17’)

Kili helps the lead to increase to two also on 17 minutes.

Excellent save by Bosnian no.1 but penalty and Mandic gets two minutes. Portugal now leading 10-7

Stoilov gives a 8-6 edge over the Czech team 8-6 with 20 minutes played

Interesting Bosnian play with the line player and it is 10-8 on 23 minutes

Great penalty save by famous Macedonia keeper with 7 mins left in the first half.

Empty goal strategy with no suspension done by Bosnia – this is not what handball should be. I really hate this window opportunity.

Portugal may be running out of team as it is 10-9 on 26 minutes.

The Bosnia keeper even scores directly to the utter delight of his team mate. All square. 10-10 on 26’35

But surprisingly Portugal scores two in thirty seconds, leading 12-10.

With a player less the Czech managed to get it back to 8-8

Macedonia responded immediately as it is now 9-8 on 28’

12-11 to Portugal as Bosnia scores 13 seconds before the buzzer.

Very low scoring affaire in the Eastern match as Macedonia leading by 2 with over 29 mins played 11-9

Throw-in mix-up by the Czech as they wasted the last ten seconds. Hilarious. Comical. Although I feel for them. Because that rule keeps changing.

SECOND HALF

What a great old-fashioned goal by PRCE and Bosnia leading now 13-12 on 32 minutes

The Czech

KILI revolt is on as he reduces the sudden hefty lead from the Czech team to 15-14 after 38 minutes being played

Portuguese keeper misses by a whisker the 16-15 goal

A very much needed timeout for Bosnia as Portugal recovered brilliantly after a difficult restart (18-16 for Portugal 45’)

In the meantime the Czech are benefiting from the Galia show, leading now by 3 after 44 minutes

The Bosnia fans are rowdy, a tad scary with their black tee-shirts and/or bare outfit but their team struggles again.

The excruciating example being that huge counter attack whereby Portugal now leads 20-16 with 12 minutes left on the clock

The frustration mounting means Bosnia playing with 5 players now and the goal deficit is FIVE! SCARY ! Not the best result for France, that’s for sure

I am pleased for the Czech team but I struggle to see what RG failed to deliver in the second half. Macedonia pulling the trigger back too late.

ZDRAHALA just scores a little beauty making it 22-18

And yet what do I know as it now only 22-21 to the Czech Republic with six minutes left

Tiny hopes for a draw? Bosnia only losing by four with 4 minutes left on the clock                                                                             

BOSNIA must hurry. AND BURIC it !!!!

A beauty of line play to make it 26-23 ! with 3 minutes left.

Huge missed opportunity by Bosnia as instead of counter they tried the long-range shot

The ref should have stopped the game as Bosnia are chasing and losing precious seconds due to events beyond their control. Of course, TIME OUT for Portugal.

The refs are not waving for passive play! Sounds very familiar…..!!!

And Portugal now leading by three and winning 27-24.

Superb wing play for number 27 for the Czech with just over 20 seconds left. A probable 27-25 win by the Czech Republic.