We had two weeks of fantastic Handball Event in Serbia – EHF EURO 2012. Here are the TOP 10 Best things of the most prestigious competition in the World of Handball.
1. DANISH „NEW WAVE“
Even without some injured players, Denmark became a European Champion. Four players, but more important – four important players in the Danish squad were heroes of the crucial wins in Serbia. Niklas Landin, Mikkel Hansen, Nikolaj Markussen and Rasmus Lauge are on the beginning of the twenties. God only knows where are the maximum of these talented generation. The next Olympic cycle belongs to them…
2. MOMIR ILIC, DARKO STANIC AND SERBIAN „EAGLES“
Hard-worker, Momir Ilic became a EHF EURO 2012 MVP. He was a really captain of the Serbian team. Most of the Europe doesn’t know for Darko Stanic. Now, everybody know for charismatic Serbian goalkeeper of untypical technique. These days in Serbia is only the “Tennis King” Novak Djokovic more popular than goalkeeper of Metalurg Skopje. Darko deserved that with his performances, but also an energy which shared with everyone. After 11 years, Serbia is celebrating a medal. Coach, Veselin Vukovic was the part of the last Final in 1986 as a player. More than 25 years after, Serbia is again “Handball country”…
3. CROATIAN ROUTINE AND MARKO KOPLJAR
They are fantastic team covered on the all positions with two good players. After two silver, Croatia wins bronze, but the most important, got Marko Kopljar, right back, who was „raped“ by the Media in past two years, because his performances weren’t on the NT level. Slavko Goluza saved „his life“ as the head coach. Croatia is the favorite for one of the medal at the Olympic Games…
4. SPANISH TEAM
They are the Team. After Round 1 and win over France, majority of the Handball Fans thought that „Spanish time“ has come, but as we saw, France was easy to beat in Serbia. They failed in the last 90 minutes, second half against Denmark and bronze-medal match against Croatia. Before that, everything seemed perfect…
5. MACEDONIAN PASSION
The biggest impression of EHF EURO 2012 in Serbia are the Macedonian fans. In Nis, 4000 in the Hall, in Belgrade, almost 10.000 came to see the match against Denmark. With such a support was really difficult for Kiril Lazarov and friends to lose against anyone. Macedonia took fifth place, the best in the History and has a chance to qualify for the London. That is the biggest surprise of Serbian events…
6. SLOVENIAN MODERN HANDBALL
First defeat against Norway was a signal that Slovenia couldn’t do nothing in Serbia, but team coached by Boris Denic made fantastic effort, won against Iceland and Hungary and took sixth place on the end. Slovenians came to Serbia to see the potential of their new young team and coach, without big ambitions and pressure. They are now overyjoyed…
7. GERMANS „ONE STEP TO THE HEAVEN“
Germans had two „match balls“ for the semifinals, but obviosly, Group from Belgrade was match better. After draw with Serbia, Germany had to beat Denmark or Poland, but team of Martin Heuberger lost both of the games. They lost also a chance to qualify for the Olympic Games in London, which can be serious problem for German Handball, sponsors and progress…
8. HUNGARIAN „SHORT WINGS“
Team of Lajos Mocsai took three points from the Preliminary Round. It seemed that Hungarians are ready for the semifinal in front of the „home crowds“ in Novi Sad, but the first match against Iceland showed all bad things in their squad. Many of the players haven’t „key-role“ in their teams, so performances depends on that. In crucial moments, energy was lost and chance was waste, but Hungary showed that can play against everyone.
9. KIRIL LAZAROV
Two times EHF CL Top scorer. After WC 2009 in Croatia (92), he sets a new record and became the Best scorer of the EHF EURO Championships ever with 61 goals.
10. SERBIA…
Friendly atmosphere, kind people, sold-out halls, Final weekend in front of 20.000 spectators, which is the new record of European championships, put Serbia on these list. Bravo for organisers, see you in Denmark 2014.
Jorge Marrins
2. February 2012. at 07:47
It was the best handball championship in last 20 years. About 8 teams had conditions to won the competition. Most of the games were decided in last minute. There is no other sport that provide emotion like handball. Hansen will be one of best handball players ever.
Anastasija
1. February 2012. at 23:16
I would like to suggest as eleventh place Igor Vori and his first given hand to the Serbian team. It was a great move, that will make, I hope, plenty of new positive steps.