Ukraine had to go for shoot-out against Hungary, but won at the end and booked a spot among the Top4.
Hungary who celebrated silver medal at last year´s World Championship in Turkey have lost one of their key players due to injury, but despite this they were favourites against Ukraine after having beaten them earlier in the tournament.
Nevertheless, Ukraine started with great concentration and fully focused. The key for their game plan was patience and calmness, whilst Hungary often looked for their tall pivot Balázs Babicz who scored several spectacular goals. However when the Ukrainians found solution for blocking him, it was more tough for the Hungarians to score.
Hungary were still in the lead in the dying seconds of the first set, but a penalty after the final whistle allowed the Ukrainian team to turn the match and win the first period.
The second set was as close as the first, the lead changed hands several times and the set was decided in the dying minutes again, but now in favour of the Hungarians.
Just like in the women´s match of Hungary a shoot-out decided about the winner and expectations have grown for the Hungarian spectators when Ukraine missed. However Hungary missed a one-opint throw, so a second phase of the shoot-out had to decide about the fourth semi-finalist.
It was Ukraine that concentrated better, so the eastern Europeans won the big clash and will face the home team of Croatia in the first semi-final at 6.30 CET.
Igor Chupryna, player of Ukraine: “Hungary are a strong opponent, therefore we´re happy that we beat them in the Quarterfinal. We take every game like it would be our last and give all-out to show our best possible performance.”
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