Neighbours clash; surprise packages hope for more
Neighbours clash; surprise packages hope for more
After more than one emerging nation caused a major upset in the first round of the Men’s EHF EURO 2020 Qualifiers, those surprise packages are out for more in round 2 on Saturday and Sunday. Also in focus this weekend will be some emotional duels between neighbours.
GROUP 2
Belgium vs Croatia – Sunday 28 October, 15:45 local time, live on ehfTV.com
A team that manages to take a draw in Serbia is not without hope against Croatia, particularly on home ground. After dominating a long period of their away match on Wednesday (27:27), Belgium hope for more goals from their star Damian Kedziora and more surprises like those they pulled off in the EURO 2018 Qualifiers, when they managed to beat Norway and lost against France by only one goal. Croatia did not have an easy start to the qualifiers, as they won against Switzerland quite closely, 31:28.
It is the first official duel between these sides, and the anticipation in Belgium is huge, as the arena in Leuwen was almost sold-out on Friday. Croatia coach Lino Cervar is aware of the opponent and the expected atmosphere: “On paper, we are again the favourites like we were against Switzerland. But the previous Belgian results, mainly against France, have proved their strength.”
GROUP 3
Greece vs FYR Macedonia – Sunday 28 October, 17:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com
FYR Macedonia have qualified for all final EURO tournaments since 2012, while Greece still wait for their first appearance at a European championship – this is the situation before this duel of neighbours. While Kiril Lazarov & Co. took a 31:27 home victory against Turkey in their qualification opener, including eight goals from top star Lazarov, Greece were chanceless in Iceland, losing by 14 goals (21:35).
Sunday’s hosts won only one of the six duels with their upcoming opponent, back in 2002. The last two crucial matches between them were the World Championship 2015 Play-offs, which FYR Macedonia won home and away.
GROUP 5
Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Czech Republic – Saturday 27 October, 20:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com
This duel is the only round 2 match in which two victors from the first round clash. The rejuvenated Czech team – who ranked sixth at the EURO 2018 with their previous composition – needed to fight hard until the 31:27 victory against Finland was sealed, while the Bosnians caused one of the biggest surprises on Wednesday, stealing a 30:29 win from Belarus thanks to a last-second penalty scored by Nikola Prce.
“We have to be much more concentrated than we were against Finland to stand this test on hot Balkan turf,” said Czech coach Daniel Kubes before travelling to Bosnia-Herzegovina: “To gain two points against Finland was OK, but I am not satisfied with the way we played.”
The Czechs have won three of the four previous duels with Bosnia – the only defeat was a 27:29 outcome 19 years ago. The Bosnians never qualified for any final EHF EURO tournament, but the victory in Belarus could have been a pathfinding result on the way to Austria, Sweden and Norway in 2020.
GROUP 7
Slovakia vs Russia – Saturday 27 October, 18:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com
In round 1, Slovakia were chanceless against Hungary, while Russia could afford to save power against Italy. “Hungary were better in every department, so we need to get our heads up again to get back on track,” said Danish-born Slovakia coach Heine Jensen after the 22:30 loss in Erd on Wednesday.
Russia never lost an official match against the Slovaks – the balance is three wins (including two in the first qualification stage for the World Championship 2019) and a draw two years ago in Moscow. With the return of star Timur Dibirov, Russia did not have any problems leaving Italy behind 34:20, and coach Eduard Koksharov is out to keep this clean record: “Slovakia are of another level than Italy, but if we perform like in our opener, we have a chance.”
Russia are without left back Sergei Gorbok until at least the spring of 2019 due to his knee surgery.
GROUP 8
Faroe Islands vs Denmark – Saturday 27 October, 16:10 local time, live on ehfTV.com
Even the Danish media called it the “giant sensation of the Lilliput team” after Faroe Islands took a deserved 24:24 draw in the lion’s den in Podgorica on Wednesday – even managing a 15:10 lead at the break. Funnily enough, Faroe Islands have to play their home qualifiers far from their actual home, in Denmark. The arena of Champions League participants Skjern will host the first ever international match between these sides, where Denmark are officially the away team.
“Taking the strength of the Danes into account, anything else than winning by at least 15 goals would be a disappointment for them,” said Faroe coach Sonni Larsen: “We are so proud and boosted by all the posts after our first match.”
Thanks to five goals from Nikolaj Markussen, making his return to the squad, and many saves from goalkeeper Niklas Landin, the Danes avoided a negative surprise against Ukraine, winning their opener 30:24 after finishing the first half level.
Remaining matches in round 2:
GROUP 1
Kosovo vs Germany – Sunday 28 October, 19:30 local time, live on ehfTV.com
Israel vs Poland – Sunday 28 October, 19:45 local time, live on ehfTV.com
GROUP 2
Switzerland vs Serbia – Sunday 28 October, 13:15 local time, live on ehfTV.com
GROUP 3
Turkey vs Iceland – Sunday 28 October, 16:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com
Greece vs FYR Macedonia – Sunday 28 October, 17:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com
GROUP 4
Latvia vs Netherlands – Sunday 28 October, 15:10 local time, live on ehfTV.com
Estonia vs Slovenia – Sunday 28 October, 19:30 local time, live on ehfTV.com
GROUP 5
Finland vs Belarus – Saturday 27 October, 16:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com
GROUP 6
Lithuania vs Portugal – Sunday 28 October, 16:30 local time, live on ehfTV.com
Romania vs France – Sunday 28 October, 18:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com
GROUP 7
Italy vs Hungary – Saturday 27 October, 18:45 local time, live on ehfTV.com
GROUP 8
Ukraine vs Montenegro – Sunday 28 October, 18:30 local time, live on ehfTV.com
