EHF EURO 2018
Main Round, Group I.
Arena Zagreb
Norway needed to win this game against their Scandinavian neighbors from Sweden in order to keep their chances alive for reaching a semifinal. If Norway would have won this game with a five-goal difference than the match between Croatia and France would decide their fate. French victory and Norwegian five-goal victory would have mean semifinal for Norway. Norway made a replacement before this match, goalkeeper Kristian Sæverås came in for Espen Christensen.
Exciting, close first half with a better Norwegian start leading 6-9 after 15 minutes, but Sweden is not bad either, reduces quickly to only one goal difference. Bergerud had a great performance in the Norwegian goal, Appelgreen managed to save two 7 meters against Kristian Bjørnsen. Halftime result: 11-12.
The second half was as exciting as the first one, the two teams were chasing each other, the result was close to a draw for a long period, but Norway had the lead several times and due to a fantastic Bergerud in the goal managed to win 25-28. Despite the victory, Norway cannot qualify for the semifinal, but Sweden has still a chance.
Sweden – Norway 25 – 28 (11 – 12)
Goals:
Sweden – Eckberg 2, Tollbring 6, Wanne, Nielsen 1, Nilsson 1, Jeppson 5, Lagergren 3, Darj 1, Gottfriedsson 4, Pettersson 2,
Norway – Sagosen 3, Jøndal 3, Bjørnsen 2, Tønnesen 5, Myrhol 7, O’Sullivan 4, Rød 1, Reinkind, Lie Hansen, Johannessen 1, Tangen 2
Suspensions: 1 red card,6 minutes; 12 minutes
7 meters: 8/5; 5/2
Player of the match: Bjarte Myrhol (NOR)
In the other Main Round Group in Varazdin Denmark was already qualified to the semifinals, and met Macedonia. After a close first half ending 12-12, Denmark took a confident victory 20-31.
Macedonia – Denmark 20 – 31 (12 – 12)
Topscorers: Filip Kuzmanovski (MKD) 6 goals and Michael Damgaard (DEN) 11 goals
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