IHF Egypt 21 Comeback mission not completed sends Denmark to title defence

 

Spain vs Denmark

Denmark in back-to back run-in. Muchas gracias Hispanos por luchar a contracorriente. Animo campeones.

Incorrect prediction of 26-23 to Spain.  The 33-35 defeat difficult to stomach as the comeback was almost perfect.

Jensen opens the scoring with a fine play goal

Then a surprising KEMPA as Denmark leads 0-2 after 2 mins

Sole outmuscles a more compact defence but Hansen smashes one to the opposite corner so its 1-3 after 4 mins

Unlucky Gonzalo on the Svan’s goal

DJU younger bro tries a third carbon copy. To no effect.

Excellent angle found by Sole to reduce the arrears 4-5 on 8 mins

7-6 strategy by Denmark

I had NOT noticed the IHF logo on the youtube thing earlier in the competition. Crazy.

Marchan finds his way and makes himself big to get it back to one goal in it (6-7) after 11 mins.

Barcelona is getting miles far away now!!! After a promising first four matches!

Jensen puts Spain into trouble after the feed 7-11 (15’15) and time-out is required

500 days of lovely RE for a delivery to Marchan.

More woes for my Spanish team trailing by 5.

Third time Denmark get away with two toes on the line and one attacking foul

Another sublime RE to Adrian Figueras plus Jorge counter makes it a more likeable scoreline but still losing by 3 10-13 (20’)

Aitor motivates everyone emulating the famous 2013 match.

Unpleasant comparison with the France match in the semis. Not really comparable. Shall we mention the 2016’s final in Herning?

Powerful Jorge gets a mid-air shot right in the middle and 13-16 (22’30)

A mobile defence strategy is a good idea as the power play was about to end.

Both teams have now changed their illustrious keepers and rightly so on this occasion.

Gisel is a revelation indeed. What a find!

16-18 is not too bad for Spain but careful in the second half

Using my EHF Croatia 2018 jumper for cooking during the interval but its getting swamped by wet substances. A new baking strategy in Balham !

Moller saves brilliantly and the nightmare continues for Spain

 

Its’ not a keeper’s day! And Paul said it a minute after me!!!!

Mollgaard with is marching orders.

Its 22-25 on 40 mins

Finally, Gonzalo gets another save. Timing is important.

Empty goal by Aleix but he almost missed with the too many steps risk!

Landin doing the business again preventing the one goal in it.

Quick throw-off and Landin is fuming like you would never imagine

The youtube quality dwindles. The Cairo reception is not as good.

DJU brothers on a mission but Jensen does not share the same opinion 25-27 (46’)

Too many goals in this bizarre match.

No cover in the line play and Adrian Figueras uses it perfectly 27-28 (47’50)

Give-away and very costly an MH enjoyed that one. But Adriam replied brilliantly.

Fernandez rushed his attempt to draw level sadly

Very harsh two mins. Crazy! And the wrong player. Video refereeing, why are you not being used here?

Why Marchan instead of Figueras? Jordi doing the same error as GG?

Jorge is very polite with Olsen but that’s not great for Spain 29-31 (52’)

Sagosen is injured. Emilie must be distraught.

Listening to PB on the phone, a bad omen? Superstition?

Six minutes left and Spain trailing by three.

Why the Dane did not get two mins for the counter prevented as he stayed on the floor?

Jacokbsen was right to remonstrate because the decision in Jorge’s favour was incorrect.

Marchan costly miss as expected. Sometimes the in-form players on one particular match must be prioritized.

Marchan had an amazing first ten days but Figueras looked more comfortable on the day.

D DJU had probably one of his best performance in a Spanish shirt.

A fantastic save by Gonzalo, PALICKAESQUE.

33-34 49 seconds left

Did not realize not enough time left.  Double edge sword.

Bounced off the line and Marchan miss. Adrian must be so annoyed for his team-mate.

10 seconds left now!

Denmark wins 33-35 so I got this one wrong as well and no one in an 100 shirt ‘sorteo!

Nice touch by Gedeon and Jacokbsen. Jacokbsen has some class.

Well, I will be 100% behind Sweden. I do not want Denmark back-to-back wins like Romania, Sweden and France twice did. May the best team win!

41 mins with one of my best handball pals so as to be BOTH in a better mood!

Before the final day draws the curtain to this one, I hope to see you all in Spain, Hungary and Slovakia. Handball fans across the world are truly special.