Belarus remain Poland's only hunter

After Poland had successfully started the fourth round in Group 3 of the European qualification for the Women’s 2013 World Championship Play-Offs on Saturday by an away victory at Lithuania, Belarus followed suit on Sunday.

The host had an easy-going afternoon and took a clear 29:16 (14:7) against Italy.

Thanks to this result, Belarus remain two points below Poland, before both top teams clash in the sixth and final round next Sunday (2 December). However, Belarus have to reduce a ten goal backlog from the first round.

Again overall competitions top scorer Karyna Yezhykova was the main striker for the Belorussians with seven goals, Irene Fanton scored six times for Italy in an one-sided encounter.

“This was something like a training session in the preparation for the match against Poland for us,” said Belarussian coach Leonid Brazinsky.

“Now we need to beat Poland, it is hard to make a prediction against this tough opponent.”

His Italian counterpart Wolfgang Polanyi praised their opponent.

“In contrast to Italy handball has made a major progress in Belarus in the previous years. We did not cause as many mistakes, so I am quite satisfied with the way we played.” 

His team remains on only two points gained from their victory against Lithuania.