nichts neues aus der tschechei: das finale bestreiten norwegen und rußland.
Russians survived Hungarian storm and head to the finalThe final of the World Junior Women Handball Championship is set. Russian title defenders were close to an heart attack but last five minutes of the match decided that golden medals aren´t lost for them. In the second semifinal Russia prepared first lost on the tournament for combative Hungary and heads for the Sunday final against Norway. Hungarians will play Korea in the battle for bronze medals.
For the first time Russians went to more distinctive lead after 15 minutes. Jana Uskova was scoring from right wing and from 7-metres while Hungary couldn´t penetrate through opponent´s defense. Dangerous times for Hungarians came when two players were suspended in a short time. But coach Matéfi´s team economized with time well and survived these suspensions with grace. For a long time the score didn´t move, defenses were reigning in the first half. Russians couldn´t rely on tall center Bliznova who had big problems to score from distance against goalkeeper Triffa. About consistency of defense says much that Czech referees were distributing penalty minutes as if it was Christmass Eve.
As both teams played very similar game it wasn´t such a beautiful spectacle as in the previous match. Hungarian fans made a good atmosphere for their team. Hungary managed to catch up with the opponent, when the first 30 minutes were over, title defender lost its advance at all.
Hungarians came with a brutal defense to this championship. If it was possible, they even hardened it in the second half. Russians sometimes seemed to be helpless when it came to attack. In 33rd minute Hungary took a lead after such a long time. Russians almost failed to score in the first 15 minutes and let their opponent go ahead of them. Fans from Hungary were cheering their favourites who appeared to be the first team on the tournament who made Russia to fear. Much more varied play gave Hungary 3-goal advance and surprise was on the road. Yet the defender didn´t give up and seven minutes before the end Uskova evened.
When Bliznova bravely came for faul, Russians earned 7-metre plus opponent´s 2-minute suspension. This was the signal of turnaround. Two goals up Anatoly Skorobogatov´s team got after fast breaks performed mainly by Polina Vyakhireva. Russia didn´t let this go away and in the nervous duel full of emotions won 25:22. On Sunday they play the final against Norway, for Hungary there is Korea prepared.
Anatoly Skorobogatov (Coach of Russia): "We didn´t have a special preparation for Hungary, it was just another common duel for us. Our problem was in the back line which didn´t support the rest. Bliznova was scoring easily in the previous match and so she probably thought that everything would be as easy. That´s why she hurried with shooting. In some phases our problem was in psychic. Why do I not seem to be nervouss during matches? I just believe in my girls, in their abilities. Today we played 50% of our potential. As usual I don´t speculate about our next opponent, we just want to win. Norway may be the worse possibility because both teams know each other so well."
Eszter Matéfi (Coach of Hungary): "My players were very good 45 minutes and I don't know... They could be tired and in the end didn't manage to score. That was a problem. Russia has very good team and today match was fantastic for spectators I think. So we will face Korea for the second time in the tournament. What am I going to change to win this one? I know it but I won't definitely tell you right now."
Norway celebrates its first world championship finalFirst semifinal drew together unconquered Korea and Norway. In a high-quality match Norwegian perfect defense and also outstanding Goril Snorroeggen decided that Korea won´t break a curse from last ten years and again fails to reach final of world junior championship. Norway won 27:22 and saved at least silver medals and Sunday final for itself. For the first time this country will fight for the title.
Koreans got caught by a functional trap in in the beginning - Norwegian defense. Coach Hammershaug´s team built a blue wall in front of its goalie and this wall didn´t let many shots go through. At first Gossé and than especially captain Snorroeggen took responsibility for scoring and helped their team get in a lead 5:2. Korean coach asked for a time-out which payed off. The score got evened but not for long.
Both goalkeepers, Son and also Alvik were proving that they belong to the best of the championship. Norwegian wings had a big problem to score. While Norway was led by Snorroegen, Asians´ game was conducted by outstanding Song. The first one dominated and after some spectacular actions and good job in defense Norway earned 5-goal lead till the half despite wasting two7-metres and some other chances. Only last seconds helped Koreans to get closer - shooter Song´s good work.
Korea has great second halves on this championship, this team has always even improved in second 30 minutes. Yet for Norway defense was still rock-hard and Lynn Gossé waked up from her shooting misery. She scored from fast breaks and mounted the score to 17:11 after 8 minutes. Koreans again needed time-out and reacted to this situation with more aggressive defense. Than referees sent out two Norwegian players. Such a team as Korea can punish this. During those two minutes three goals were erased from Norwegian advance.
When 10 minutes were remaining Norwegians commited some faults in attack and offered Korea a chance to get even closer. Yet there was still Kari Aalvik in Scandinavians´ goal. She helped her team with so much sureness in her saves. Yet it wasn´t the end. Snorroegen´s suspension three minutes before the end promissed that there would be a drama to be seen. Koreans didn´t take this chance, loosing their excelence in face to combative Norwegians.
Sang-Suh Baek (Coach of Korea): "It was good and also very difficult match. More than the result I'm worrying about injuries of my players. I only hope they will be all right."
Ole Morten Hammershaug (Coach of Norway): "What to say to this...? These girls did fantastic job last year and they are even more fantastic this year. We played so difficult and also different opponent from each one we´d met during this tournament. Koreans are so fast, they great stamina. Yes, our defense was the key to this match. Classical 6-0 but I wouldn´t talk about system, rather about players´ attitude. They were concentrated, had good timing and really fighted; perhaps this was the first time when Korea met such a combative team. In Norwegian league Snorroeggen shoots 16 17 goals for a match, she played a good match but there are still some more resources in her. Who to meet in the final? I take Russia - I´ll never give up the chance to beat them finally."
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