Last Preliminary Round matches to be player the EHF Euro 2014 today, with Group C – labeled one of the strongest, prior to beginning of the championship, staying true to it’s predictions.The NRGi Arena in Aarhus saw anunexpected turn of events, as the slight underdog, Russia beat Serbia on Wednesday to find themselves within a chance of reaching the Main Round.
Poland vs Russia
Russia will hope for good performances from Evdokimov and Igoropulo(sporting 7 and 6 goals, respectively) today, as well as Poliakov who emerged as a leading scorer with 8, with one point being sufficient for them to take two points into the Main Round.
Poland’s ‘White and Reds’ are without any points from two matches in the Championship, but they will have a chance to earn the most valuable two so far,in a direct duel to battle-out the Main Round berth.
The experienced Polish team will have to do all they can to secure the victory, and still be uncertain for their place under the sun of the Main Round, hoping for France to defeat Serbia. ‘Polish Eagles’are led by the ever-present SlawomirSzmal on goal, with their attack boasting intimidating firepower, such as that provided by MariuszJurkiewicz (8), their best scorer on the Euro so far.
Serbia vs France
Serbian team will wake up today feeling well hard done by, as they will have to get something from the match against convincing France to keep their hopes alive. With France the only straightforward participant, this will be a decisive day for no less than three teams in based Aarhus.
With as much as six active scenarios on how this Championship could unfold, Serbia will have to hope their goalkeeper Stanić has ‘one of his days’ to increase their chances against high-scoring France. Marko Vujin (scoring 9 goals so far) will be no different, as THW Kiel’s right-back will have to go from strength to strength followed by the likes of Nenadić and Ilić, to improve the lacking attacking presence forfor his team today, when they throw everything they have on the Olympic champions.
France have shown an incredible variety so far, with Karabatić, Nyokas and Guigou netting 14, 11 and 10 goals respectively, with Anić showing he can also be a match winner in a team of stars such as the above-mentioned Karabatić and Narcisse. With Dumoulin boasting 26 saves so far, thriving in absence ofOmeyer, who is still to play his first match of the EHF Euro 2014, France will have no real weakness in their team, as Serbia will be looking to avoid the ignominy of going home the Preliminary Round.
TEXT: NEMANJA SAVIC
PHOTO: Bjørn Kenneth Muggerud/Handballpix.com
