The 2012 Euro Men’s Handball Championship kicked off today with a slew of matches. With the best match of the day Croatia and Iceland, the winners of silver and bronze medals from EHF 2010, sought to settle the score after their tie 2 years ago.
Before the game, news broke that Iceland would be without their star right back Olafur Stefansoon, a man who hasn’t missed a match in over 20 years. Injuries aside, Iceland came screaming out of the gate. The teams went back and forth, exchanging goals until midway through the first half. A Croatian team that is best known for their defensive ability, was getting walked over by a strong attack which primarily came from the play of Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson on the wing. Along with Sigurdsson’s stunning performance, Croatian mistakes on offense helped Iceland slowly pull away. With the Balic’s turnover just after the 18 minute mark, along with huge offensive contributions by Iceland’s Gunnarson and Hallgrimsson, Iceland built their lead to 3 points. The Croatian coach was looking for an answer, and with just over 6 minutes remaining he subbed in Marko Kopljar to try and give the Hrvati the kick they needed. Kopljar did just that and was able to register 2 goals and an assist to help bring the teams back to level pegging with only 3 minutes to go. Iceland was persistent and made sure to leave the half up a point.
The 2nd half brought more of the same from the Icelandic side, with a barrage of amazing attacks coming from just about everywhere. Luckily, for Croatia’s coaching staff, two players decided to carry the team on their back. Both Manuel Štrlek, who posted a 100% shot to goal ratio with 8/8, and Croatian keeper Mirko Alilović kept their team in the hunt. The shootout kept Iceland on top for a majority of the second half and they nearly pulled away, going up 2 with 10 minutes left. What happened next was best explained as a frenzy of action. Strlek puts in another goal with just under 10 minutes left to get their deficit back to 1. Iceland turn the ball over, and Croatia miss a golden opportunity to tie the game back up. Just when things are looking up Marko Kopljar gets put on a 2 minute suspension and Iceland is granted a penalty. In comes Mirko Alilović who not only saves the penalty, but saves another shot to keep his team only down by 1. With 7 minutes left Buntic puts in a goal to tie things up, but Croatia quickly shoot themselves in the foot seconds after with a 2 minute suspension on Gojun. One man down and Iceland pressing, Mirko Alilović decides he doesn’t want to lose the first game and provides another beautiful save to keep the Hrvati tied up.
The battle ensues and Croatia are finally able to break the deadlock and take the lead with only 2 minutes left after a goal by Buntic. Alilović smelled blood in the water, and produced another majestic save with under 2 minutes remaining to keep Croatia up by one. Balić, who was not even supposed to play in today’s game, showed his class by assisting a Cupić goal putting the Hrvati up by 2 with under a minute left. To provide the cherry on top, Štrlek rifled in a ball of the fast break to put the Hrvati out of arms reach.
With the next two games on the 18th and 20th, what do you think Croatia will do? If Balić is healthy this game, do you think we have it easier? How does Strlek’s performance improve Croatia’s outlook for the rest of the tournament. Finally, who else needs to step up for us to make it far in this tournament?
youtube is streaming every game on a good stream. I have watched most of these matches, other than the Poland-Slovakia match they have all been tight. Even Macedonia almost beat Sweden & Germany!
http://www.ilemi.me/40499/1/Watch-Serbia-vs-Denmark/
Sweden and Czechs playing even though the link says otherwise.
myp2p is streaming the matches.
What can I say…I’m a little bias. After the tie 2 years ago, it was a bit of a grudge match. Croatia should be winning these games, but Iceland isn’t a weak team whatsoever.
oh yeah, and these three games Croatia should win, the REAL test will come in the next round when Croatia play Spain and France. Croatia were able to beat Spain twice in qualifying, while France is Croatia’s bogey team. Croatia will have to improve defensively and hope Alilovic remains consistent which has been a problem in recent tournaments
I wouldn’t call this match the best of the day, Russia-Hungary literally came down to the last second and ended in a draw, this match was really done with a minute to go