Austria draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina, stay in the race for EHF EURO 2014

Group 7: Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Austria 28:28 (15:13)

A goal by Viktor Szilagyi to make it 28-all five seconds before the final whistle secured Austria a point in the EHF EURO 2014 qualification match against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The result means that Austria as well as Russia are now on six points in qualification group 7 before they face each other on Sunday (16 June) in a decisive clash for the qualification for the final tournament in Denmark.

Austria need to beat Russia to secure one of the first two ranks in the group. However, a draw would also be enough for Austria as the best third ranked team from all groups also qualifies for the final tournament.

This ranking will include only the results of those four matches the third ranked teams played against the teams ranked first and second in their respective group. If Austria draw with Russia, they would have four points in this ranking.

The lucky winner of Thursday's match became Serbia without even playing, as they will now definitely occupy one of the two spots in group 7 that grant a berth in Denmark, no matter the results of the two remaining qualification matches in group 7.

It was tough going for Austria in their match against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Some failed attacks and gaps in the defence saw them trailing 13:15 against a young Bosnian team at half-time.

But they managed to to gain momentum in the second half. Lucas Mayer granted Austria a 19:18 lead and three minutes before the end Robert Weber scored to make it 27:25 for Austria.

But Bosnia-Herzegovina fought back. Three unanswered goals suddenly saw them in the lead at 28:27, before Viktor Szilagyi scored the last goal of the match.

Szilagyi also become the match's top scorer with seven goals. Dusko Celica and Ivan Karacic scored five each for Bosnia-Herzegovina.