NORWAY / AUSTRIA / SWEDEN EHF 2020 - Monday 13th Easy Spain and Balkans battle

In the wake of a stressful evening on various grounds I was only able to see the first half of ICELAND vs RUSSIA where I enjoyed the dynamic and varied play by the Icelandic stars.

I also found funny when the ball was recovered in the middle as if a rugby player had avoided a throw-to the opposition’s advantage.

Then later.... 

Spain vs NETHERLANDS in TRONDHEIM whilst SERBIA – CROATIA in GRAZ

FIRST HALF

2-1 by Mr MAQUEDA on 4.30

What a CORRALES save on counter by Holland

ARINO 3-1 on 6 mins

Even GEDEON is having fun 4-1 on 7 mins

Empty net for ARINO 5-1

KARACIC great 3^rd after SEGO save on 8 minutes 3-2

Greek wrestling against FIGUERAS

SEGO is really on fire 5 from 7 in 10 minutes

10 mins and Spain leading 5-2 and same scoreline for Croatia ironically

Huge foul on Jorge Maqueda’s face that is why VIRAN expected to be a red card and bizarrely only a 2 mins for the opponent.

But Maqueda still scores. Well done to him.

Meanwhile, SEGO saves from the penalty on 14 minutes

Relaxed defending by Spain so it is 9-5 on 15 minutes

JM likes to get on the floor like Bruno does

Very amusing Croatian lady in the public !!!

It is all square on 18 minutes in the big CROATIA-SERBIA. So much for pride, not in terms of qualification spot.

FIGUERAS gets two in a row and it 12-6 for Spain (20’)

Why Croatia’s goal not given is beyond belief on 21’30? 

The ball had crossed the line.....

Which means Serbia is drawing the game when they should be trailing by one.....

Not only Sole gets 2 minutes but there is a penalty for the Dutch, who reduce the deficit to 14-9, with 6 minutes left in the first half

Spain for some reason have not many travelling fans. It is the same person we saw in Germany and Croatia

Bizarrely as I lost a bit of my focus Serbia are now leading by two on 25 minutes

And the Netherlands stubbornly stay afloat securing scoreline as 12-16 on 27.30 minutes

The Serbian keeper touches the ref’s hair as if he knew the helping hand….

Unlucky wing play on the post for Croatia losing 10-8

Acrobatic 13^th for the Netherlands and Spain leading by four

I have no explanation for the drop in shot efficiency by Croatia.

To get me even more unhappy MACARENA  (e.g. the music, not the fantastic AGUILAR player) is being heard at the interval….

SECOND HALF

Easy miss by the Dutch winger at the restart.

Julen scores number 19 for Spain

Nice wing play by the Netherlands for their number 14 on 33 minutes

Cindric pulls one back but falls awkwardly.

SEGO gets an important save, which means that Croatia has an opportunity to level it at 12-12 (36’30)

GONZALO comes in and saves the penalty so Spain now leading by 7  23-16 on 38 minutes

I quite enjoy the variety of goals made by MAQUEDA

CUPARA is enjoying himself making more saves

Julen did not get the ideal pass by JM and the opportunity got begging and the consequence is 19-25 now

Great save by CORRALES on 43 minutes

DJUNVAK is keen to level it at 14-14.

SEGO is back to old self, which is pleasing for the Montpellier fans

Last fifteen minutes and the Dutch fans are making a lot of noise

Croatia turnaround as they lead now by 2, hence a Serbia time out

It is getting close to a 10-goal advantage for Spain, only 8 at the minute (46’  27-19)

Great steal by legendary DJUNVAK with 14 minutes left on the clock

As expected, it is now 29-20 for Spain on 48 minutes

SEGO amazing high leg prevents a comeback by Serbia and on the counter it is a now 3-goal lead for Croatia 18-15

But the Spanish defense is on off duty and the scoreline reads 30-22 on 51 minutes

The Dutch keeper is really ineffective

Empty net and Croatia now leading by 5 with 10 minutes left

AITOR gets my predicted number 10 as it is 32-22 on 53 minutes

Rare to see but Serbian player has cramps

Untidy handball. Not like the first half of ICELAND vs RUSSIA

Finally a save by one Dutch keeper, just make my earlier comment a tad harsh…but there are only 4 minutes left

Serbia have reduced the deficit to three 18-21 on 54 minutes

Rodrigo scores into the empty net 34-24 57’30

Two minutes later its 35-25. Not sure what the refs are looking at with 30 seconds left

Three minutes left and Croatia now leading by four.

Just to annoy me regarding predictions, it is 36-25 to Spain’s benefit in the end!!!!

It was a keeper’s battle in the BALKANS entertaining match!

Great wing play for number 21 for Serbia.

Croatia won 24-21 in the end.