Tight victories for Montenegro and Croatia
 

Portugal, Belarus and Slovakia celebrated expected and clear away victories in today´s matches of the EHF EURO qualifications.

In hot clashes and fierce duels, Montenegro overcame Russia and Croatia defeated Denmark on home soil, whilst Spain celebrated a one-goal victory in Ukraine, all three winners making a huge step towards EHF EURO qualifications.

Czech Republic had no problems in beating a weakened Slovenia, thereby reaching a favourable position for advancing to the continental event in the Netherlands.

The biggest surprise today was delivered by Lithuania, who outclassed Turkey and collected their first two points in the tournament, making the race for the group’s second place between FYR Macedonia and Turkey even more exciting.

Round 3, Day 1: 21 March 2012

Group 1

Azerbaijan vs. Belarus 21:31 (9:15)

No problems for favourites Belarus against Azerbaijan in the match-up in Baku. The away side celebrated its first victory, whilst the hosts are still without points in the EHF EURO qualifications.

Belarus put up an active and stable defensive line, but had some problems in the positional attacks. Nevertheless the winner was never in question, as the experienced Belarussians had already decided the match in the first 30 minutes, and will aim for another two points on home turf this coming weekend.

Group 2

Greece vs. Portugal 18:30 (10:14)

Despite some initial apprehensions, the selection led by Portuguese coach Duarte Freitas was always superior to their Greek counterparts, and so the difference between the two teams increased minute-by-minute.

In the second half, Portugal remained dominant and in control of the game, and denied any hope of a Greek recovery.  

Trainer Freitas was happy about the victory: "We planned to stay firm in defence, wanted to be cohesive and safe in our defensive wall, enabling ourselves to push out with counter attacks and making a deep defence. The concentration, especially in our defensive game, was the key for victory!

Group 3

Montenegro vs. Russia 23:22 (10:9)

An exciting thriller in Podgorica, with a happy ending for the hosts, who lead the group by the maximum points after three rounds. 

Montengro, built around Budućnost players and coach Dragan Adžić, led throughout the match by several goals, but Russia, with amazing fighting spirit and great will to turn the match gave their utmost in the dying minutes, coming as close as one goal.

Despite having a chance to level the score, the Russians were not able to hit the Montenegrin net, as the last throw of the away side was blocked by the hosts' defence.

Coach Evgeny Trefilov's team suffered its first defeat of the qualification tournament, but will have a good possibility to iron out the Montenegrin failure in the return match on home turf.

Group 4

Lithuania vs. Turkey 35:31 (15:12)

A thrilling game and great victory for the hosts over the more favoured Turkish side, built around Yeliz Özel. 

The away team struggled from the start, allowing the locals to take control and seize the initiative, to lead by three goals after 30 minutes.

Relaxed, due to their first half lead, Lithuania showed some great handball in the second period, extending their lead to 10 goals, making it 27:17. 

Turkey woke up rather late, but with the leadership and goals of Serpil İskenderoğlu, with seven straight goals the away side closed the gap to just three. Then the hosts shuffled their cards again, maintained their lead, and celebrated a surprising, but well-deserved victory. 

Group 5

Czech Republic vs. Slovenia 31:19 (16:11)

A clear home victory for the Czech Republic over Slovenia, who were missing several key players, in this one-sided duel. The hosts clearly won after establishing a good lead by the halfway stage.

From the start, the hosts controlled the match and led 3:1 and 5:2. As the minutes ticked by, coach Jan Bašný´s team extended their lead to five goals, resulting in a Slovenian time out. 

The one minute intermission helped the away side to refresh their players for a few minutes, but then Czech Republic found the pace of the game again and continued their march towards victory.

In the second period, it seemed like only the hosts were on duty in the hall, as coach Tone Tiselj´s Slovenian side was non-existent. The Czechs increased the gap between the two national teams minute-by-minute to a clear victory.

Trainer Bašný was extremely happy about the win: "I saw the fire and will to win in the eyes of every player and also the spectators warmed to the good performance. Nevertheless, we realise that this duel is not a match for only 60, but for 120 minutes, and we´re only at half-time now. We have to mobilize our forces and have to stand the test of Slovenia and their fans at the weekend as well."

Slovenian coach Tone Tiselj was hit hard about his side´s poor performance in the second period: "Although we were missing a few players, we played weakly at every position. The Czechs had a great defensive wall and proper tactics against us. They have a good future." 

Group 6

Croatia vs. Denmark 21:19 (13:10)

As promised, in a recent ehf-euro.com interview, to Croatian fans, Miranda Tatari and her team-mates defeated the Scandinavians and took a huge step towards EHF EURO qualification. 

Despite Denmark beating the Croats at both the EHF EURO 2010 in Denmark and at the last World Championships in Brazil, coach Vladimir Canjuga´s team had no problems in overcoming their opponents today.

It was a spicy duel of Danish fast-breaks against Croatia´s distance shots, and despite a Danish lead at the beginning of the match, it was the East-Europeans who dominated the clash until the final whistle. 

Denmark will hope for revenge at home this weekend, whilst Croatia would like to maintain their unbeaten run in Scandinavia and march with a victory to the EHF EURO in the Netherlands.

Italy vs. Slovakia 19:25 (9:12)

Despite a good number of loyal fans cheering for home side Italy, favoured Slovakia collected their two points in the duel of the bottom teams.

The Italians played with heart for 60 minutes, but the away side, relying on more experience and underlining their better ranking in European handball, imposed their will on the final result and claimed a six-goal victory. 

For 20 minutes the hosts held a tight lead, but then the Slovakians increased the pace and turned Italian mistakes into a three-goal lead at half-time.

With the more determined Slovaks coming from the cabins, the away team extended the lead to 16:9, and despite Italian efforts in a catch-up phase, the hosts failed to reduce the gap.

Group 7

Ukraine vs. Spain 22:23 (12:13)

With today´s victory Spain reached top position of the group with six points from three games and can advance to the EHF EURO in the Netherlands in the return match against Ukraine in Estella, the home of club team Itxako Navarra.

The start had been very positive for the away side, being two goals ahead after 10 minutes. Then, the success of Ukraine in overcoming the Spanish defence was enough to keep the game very close, but they were unable to seize the advantage at half-time.

With 6 goalless minutes for the hosts in the second half, goalkeeper Silvia Navarro and her side increased their lead, though the intensity of Ukraine was enough to level the match again, taking advantage of exclusions and the ball losses of the Spanish team.

The last minutes were a head-to-head duel. There was a Ukrainian chance to level, but the Spanish defence was effective in resolving the problem and the Iberians achieved a great away victory.

Spanish National Team coach Jorge Dueñas said that "the girls have achieved half of the target, now we have to win in Estella as well. Then we can start to thinking about the Olympic Qualification tournaments." 

Six games will follow to complete Round 3.

The match schedule for tomorrow´s games in the third round of qualification for the event in the Netherlands is as follow:

Round 3, Day 2: 22 March 2012

Group 1

Hungary vs. Germany
Nyíregyháza, 18:15 hrs (local time)

Group 2

Serbia vs. Romania
Zajecar, 19:00 hrs (local time)

Group 3

Great Britain vs. Poland
Loughborough, 14:00 hrs (local time)

Group 4

FYR Macedonia vs. France
Skopje, 20:15 hrs (local time)

Group 5

Austria vs. Sweden
Krems an der Donau, 20:25 hrs (local time)

Group 7

Switzerland vs. Iceland
St. Gallen, 19:30 hrs (local time)

See where you can watch the games live on TV HERE.