Playoff WCh 2017 France
First match
Slovenia – Norway 24 – 18 (10 – 8)
Second match
Norway – Slovenia 29 – 27 (15 – 13)
Topscorers: Espen Lie Hansen (NOR) 6 goals and Dejan Bombac (SLO) 8 goals
Norway starts the match with six goals disadvantage from Celje after the first match of playoffs, but takes the lead after 13 minutes, 7-4. Bergerund again outstanding in the Norwegian goal, Tønnesen, Lie Hansen and Bjørnsen in , but takes the lead after 13 minutes, 7-4. Slovenia has a weaker defense than in the previous game, Skof has a forgettable performance, and Norway with an efficient offensive play leads 13-8, after 24 minutes.
Headcoach Vujovic calls his second timeout for Slovenia and guests scored four times, 13-12. The first half ends 15 – 13.
Espen Lie Hansen, Norway
Hosts started the second half with a Myrhol scoring, 16-13, but Slovenia has enough energies to make it 17-16 after a few minutes. The results shows how fast a handball game can swing 21-17,22-18 ( 42.minute).
Christian Berge and Norway was in the lead during the second half, three, four, even five goals at 29-24, but Slovenia managed to keep this favourable difference or make it even tighter til the final whistle, and qualify to France next January to play world championship.
Final result: 29 – 27
RSS