Sweden out for Spain

The last nine European places for the 2013 Men’s World Championship in Spain had been decided this weekend with the second leg of the play-offs – in the end with two surprises: Sweden failed against Montenegro and the Czech Republic was eliminated by Russia. In all the other matches the favourites made their to Spain, where the World Championship will take place in January.

Those are the winners of the European play-offs: Russia, Slovenia, Germany, FYR Macedonia, Hungary, Montenegro, Iceland, Belarus and Poland

Before, those five European teams had been directly qualified: Spain (organizer), France (defending world champion), Denmark (European champion), Serbia (runners-up of 2012 EURO) and Croatia (Bronze medallist of the 2012 EURO). Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt are the African participants, Korea, Qatar and Saudi-Arabia had made their way from the Asian championships.

In total, 20 of 24 participants for the World Championship are known – three teams will qualify from the Pan American Championships (18-25 June) and one team from the Oceania play-offs between Australia and New Zealand (22/23 June).

Summary of the European play-offs:

Czech Republic vs. Russia 27:31 (10:18)

First leg: 22:23 (12:11)

A perfect first half secured Russia a place in Spain. By winning the second leg clearer than the home game last week Russia avoided another failure after missing the 2011 World Championship and the Olympics 2012. The Czech Republic – like 2009 and 2011 – again missed the qualification. New coach Oleg Kuleshov had adapted his team perfectly on the Czech attack and paved the way to Spain by a 18:10 lead after 30 minutes. “It was our best match since years,” goalkeeper Lewschin said. His performance and the high speed attacks including a huge number of counter attack goals were the key to the success. The biggest gap was 15:4 in the middle of the first half – and though the Czechs could decrease the gap goal by goal until the end, Russia could not be endangered. Top scorers were Filip (7 goals for the Czechs) and Chipurin, who scored six times for the Russian team.

Portugal vs. Slovenia 26:27 (8:13)

First leg: 26:31 (10:11)

Slovenia qualified for the World Championship in a highly sovereign manner: After the clear home victory the team of Boris Denic stood the pressure in Portugal and had booked their ticket latest at the break of the re-match, when the aggregate lead was ten goals. For the sixth time Slovenia qualified for a Men’s World Championship. Outstanding player for the Balkan team was right wing Ivan Gajic, who scored twelve of 27 goals for his side. Duarte was Portuguese top scorer with five goals. Portugal had only been in lead once in the middle of the second half – but at this point the Slovenians had already decelerated their speed.

Bosnia Herzegovina vs. Germany 33:24 (15:12)

First leg: 24:36 (7:18)

It was a total disaster for Germany, but a disaster without consequences: After winning with a twelve goal difference on home ground Germany was close to elimination in Sarajevo being below with intermediately ten goals in the final stage. Bosnia played a brilliant second half after the guests had been on the floor completely and lost their rhythm, pace and concentration. After the first half Bosnia improved, increased the gap to 23:15 – without any German resistance and were really close to eliminate the favourite. Vrazalic was top scorer with nine goals for Bosnia. “It was terrible, the only positive thing is that we made our way to Spain,” was the balance of German coach Martin Heuberger.

Belarus vs. Slovakia 24:25 (10:12)

First leg: 26:24 (12:10)

They had to shiver until the final second, but then team Belarus celebrated together with more than 12.000 spectators in Minsk. The 26:24 away victory in Slovakia was worth gold for the host, who nearly gave their fate from their hands on home ground. But in aggregate the team of Siarhei Rutenka made their way to Spain. Whilst the Slovaks missed their third straight participation at a World Championship, Belarus qualified for the second time after 1995. The game was one eye level for 60 minutes with no team ahead with more than two goals. 100 seconds before the end Antl scored the 24:23 – and made the Slovak hopes come alive, before Belarus equalized in the final minute and decided this play-off. Rutenka was top scorer again with eight goals for Belarus, Antl scored seven times for the Slovaks.

Austria vs. FYR Macedonia 30:27 (13:14)

First leg: 21:26 (10:16)

Despite the defeat FYR Macedonia qualified for the third time in history after 1999 and 2009 for a Men’s World Championship. The five goals cushion from the first leg on home ground was enough for Kiril Lazarov & Co. to eliminate Austria. “The Macedonians were stronger than us, they qualified for Spain well-deserved. But my players gave all they could,” Austrian coach Patrekur Johanesson said. His team started well, but the Macedonians were in lead at the break. Until the 22:22 the match was on eye level, before the Austrians accelerated – but except the final score they were unable to come closer than two goals. Schlinger and Lazarov were the top scorers with each seven goals.

Poland vs. Lithuania 26:22 (13:13)

First leg: 24:17 (12:9)

Thanks to their second victory Poland have made it to Spain – but it was a tougher match than expected for the host after the easy away victory last week. Lithuania fought brave and was in lead in the middle of the first half, before the host equalized at the break. The game was equal until the score of 22:21, before the Poles had the clearly better end, celebrated by more than 9000 spectators. Kuchczynski (Poland) and Atajevas (Lithuania) were  the top scorers with each five goals.

Norway vs. Hungary 31:27 (14:13)

First leg: 21:27 (10:12)

More than 5000 spectators cheered frenetically for their team in Oslo, but the four goals victory was not enough for Norway to make their way to Spain. Like in the qualification for 2011 World Championship in Sweden (against Slovenia), Hungary qualified after a highly close aggregate result. The second leg was quite equal until the final stage. Hungary started better, before the Norwegians took the lead at the break. Until the score of 24:24 Hungary was on eye level, the Norway extended the gap, but had started their catch-up chase too late to endanger the guest team. Myrhol and Kjeling each scored seven times for the host, five Hungarians (including “comebacker” Laszlo Nagy) each scored four times. “I am absolutely disappointed that we missed the qualification,” Norwegian head coach Robert Hedin said, and added: “But the burden of six goals from the first leg was to tough for us against a strong team like Hungary.”

Montenegro vs. Sweden 20:18 (11:9)

First leg: 21:22 (10:12)

Premiere for Montenegro: For the first time since the country split from Serbia the men’s team has qualified for a World Championship – and continued on the way the women had paved with qualifying for the Olympics and becoming Champions League winner. Though current EHF Champions League winner Kim Andersson strengthened the Swedish squad, the former World Champions missed a World Championship for the second time after 2007 in Germany. In the end one goal decided, but Montenegro was the better team in the second leg. Sweden had to say “thank you” to their goalkeeper Johan Sjöstrand, who saved 16 shots and was the key that the game had not been decided much earlier. Sweden was never in lead – and even missed some great chances at the score of 18:18 to turn the page. With their last two goals Montenegro managed to secure this biggest surprise of those play-offs. Top scorer was Vasko Sevaljevic with nine goals, Niklas Ekberg scored five time for the Swedish team.

Netherlands vs. Iceland 24:32 (12:15)

First leg: 27:41 (14:17)

After the first leg everything had been decided for Iceland – but on home ground the Dutch team played with more energy and passion though they knew that they had no chance. On the other hand Iceland qualified for the 13^th time for a Men’s World Championship. Thanks to Dutch goalkeeper Gerrie Eijlers, the “geysir team” could not increase the lead to more than three goals at the break, but when the host lacked power in the second half and Iceland accelerated the speed the distance rose to eight goals in the end – after the Dutch had given their last sign of life at the 16:17. “All Icelandic players have to play on highest level in the best leagues of the world every week, this is the difference to us. So we have to improve by sending more players abroad,” was the analysis of Dutch player Mark Schmetz. Top scorer of his team was Bobby Schagen with six goals.