The last match in the NRGi Arena saw a magnificent handball performance in Aarhus, as Croatia sealed the last remaining semifinal berth in a spectacular match against Poland. Poland took the first half with 15:14 to their favor, after a real brawl on the pitch, which saw both teams, fight for every single goal.The half-time break proved key for Croatian team in this match, as Goluža and his men came back a different team for the second half. The Croat left everyone guessing what is that he said to his team at the break, as they scored three goals in first two minutes of the half unanswered, as they completely undone all the work Poland had put in the past 30 minutes. Tenacious Poland never let Croatia go too far ahead, but were unable to mount the comeback as the last moments of the game saw only a consolation goal from their hero, Lijewski after Horvat sealed the faith of Polish team, a minute earlier. Duvnjak was hero of the day for Croatia, as he scored the goal worthy a semi-final berth for Croatia earlier in the match, as the final score stood at 28:31 in the end.
The audience atthe NRGi Arena already saw everything they could hope for in a handball match, mid-way through the first half as the suspensions were given and penalties saved on both ends, in an amazing tempo. The score was level at 10 all 25 minutes into the game (10:10), before Poland took a 2-goal lead with a penalty from Kuchczynski. Poland took a 3-goal lead at 14:11 the score with five minutes until the half time whistle from the fast break, as annoyed Goluža calls for a time-out. Croatia took one back thanks to a save from excellent Alilović, which allowed Horvat score the fast-break for 14:13 and three minutes to go. Last minute of the half saw Bičanić with a rocket and only a goal to catch, as Alilović keeps yet another effort from Poland. Duvnjak failed to find the net in his last effort of the half but it was BartoszJurecki that was substituted for injury, but only a minor one, as he should be fine for the second half. Poland goes for a break a happier team, as they kept a narrow lead mainly due to safe hands from Szmal as the ever-dependable keeper has had a performance of his own, upon Jaszka’s 3 goals to set Poland one goal apart at half time, with 15:14 on the scoreboard.
Whatever SlavkoGoluža said to his players in the dressing room worked out, as the second half saw an amazing turnaround from Croatia. ‘The Cowboys’ scored three goals in first two minutes of the half to take the two-goal lead at 15:17.Goluža’s decision to bring in the substitute keeper for penalties was a good one as the experienced VenioLosert made his second penalty save of the game to keep his team with a three-goal cushion, five minutes into the second half. Goal from Kopljarless than two minutes later put Croatia firmly back into the driving seat, as the towering right-back from PSG sets the score at 15:19.Croatia went on to make a 5-goal mid-way through the second half but a suspension for Kopljar, followed by a turnover from Duvnjak that allowed Kuchczynski to score for 21:24 forced Goluža to react fast and call for time-out.Croatia was leading 24:28 with less than five minutes until the last whistle, as the coach Michael Biegler calls for time-out in a last attempt to get back into the game. Poland was fighting like a fish on the chopping board as the last three minutes saw them get one goal back with a lovely right-back effort from Jurecki. threeminutes until the end saw Goluža call for a time-out break for his team, in a real pressure cooker in Aarhus, as the Croatian tactician instructed his team how to employ Kopljar, who scored from an excellent team effort right after the time-out. Celebration has already started on Croatian bench, after their 4-2 defense kept Poland at bay. Horvat’s breakthrough goal in the last minute of the matchwas the icing on a cake,before the consolation goal from Lijewski, with the score 28:31, as Croatia is through to the semi-finals.
No one can begrudge Croatia this victory,as the better team won todayafter a big effort put by Poland. The rave team of Poland will not leave the championship empty-handed as, they will now face Iceland in a match for the 5th place; deservedly so, as both teams fought hard to reach the final stages of the championship. With the last semi-final participant known we say goodbye to NGRi Arena and the city of Aarhus in anticipation of the semi-final matches, which will be:Spain against France and Denmark vs. Croatiaon January 24, expecting a full house at the Jyske Bank Boxen Arena in Herning.
TEXT: NEMANJA SAVIC
PHOTO: Bjørn Kenneth Muggerud/Handballpix.com
