FINAL! Norway makes history!

Norway will meet France at the final of the IHF World Championship 2017 in AccorHotels Arena in Paris! After great battle and two extra-time periods, Norwegians made amazing success by beating Croatia  28:25 22:22 (12:10) and secured first ever medal at World Championship…

Inspired and motivated to achieve the first final with his national team after 7 years of absence, Domagoj Duvnjak, led perfectly attack, but also 5-1 defense of Croatia in the first ten minutes of the clash with Norwegians – enough for 6:3 lead.

Quality Croatian defense with Musa and Gojun was finding a way to cope with strong Norwegian defense, but after few unsuccessful attacks, Norwegians used their powerful weapon, conuter-attack to get back in balance – 6:6, when Croatian coach Zeljko Babic called time-out.

This didn’t prevent Norwegian right wing Kristian Bjornsen to put his team ahead for the first time in 17th minute – 7:6. When Duvnjak stopped, his team collapsed in attacking performance. Balkan guys netted only two goals from position play until the end of the first half, while on the other side Norwegians got a “second wave” with Eivid Tangen who scored two goals to put his team three goals up – 11:8 five minutes before the break, but Horvat and Sebetic kept Croatian dreams alive with two goals for – 12:10.

With Marko Mamic in shooting mood and Ivan Pesic between the posts, Croatia turnover result in the first 10 minutes of the second half (16:15) and that was a sign for Christian Berge to call break for his guys.

That didn’t gave a new energy for his guys, while Croats used the third chance to went on +2 – 18:16 in 45th minute. Bergerud saved shot by Duvnjak for +3 and quickly after it GUllerud netted for 18:17 (49.) what was just a beginning of 3:0 series which put Scandinavians in lead – 18:19.

In tactical war both goalkeepers, Pesic and Bergerud, were among most powerful weapons. Croatians managed to run with Norwegians and even to score easy goal via Zlatko Horvat for 21:20 in 54th minute.

Tin Kontrec put Croatia two goals ahead 22:20, but quick Norwegians made the chance for Bjornsen to keep them in the match – 22:21.

Duvnjak hit the post three minutes on the end for 23:21, but Jondal made technical fault to give Croats another chance to break the resistance of the rival. Norwegians got in posession when 73 seconds before the end Berge called timeout. Sagosen took responsibility by scoring equalizier. Croatia had a chance to scored winning goal from 7-meter shot, but Torbjorn Bergerud saved shot of Zlatko Horvat and brought match to extra-time.

Two goals more had Croats after only three minutes, but Sagosen and Co. made turnover soon with 25:24 lead at the start of second extra-time period. There were no more idea in Croatian attack. Tonnesen scored from 7-meter line for 27:25 a minute before the buzzer…