Historic achievement for Slovakia

Denmark, France, Montenegro, Russia and Norway as well as the two hosts, Hungary and Croatia, already held spots for the EHF EURO 2014 before Round 5 of the Women's EHF EURO 2014 Qualification threw off on Wednesday.

With nine spots still up for grabs, Slovakia, Germany and Spain became the next three teams to book their tickets to the final tournament, reducing the number of final tournament tickets to six.

It was in particular a historic day for Slovakia who qualified for the first EHF EURO event in 20 years.

Group 6: Belarus vs. Romania 28:30 (13:14)

Romania’s greater level of international experience gave them the slight edge over Belarus heading into Wednesday’s match in Mogilev.

It was the first time these teams had met during this tournament, with both having already lost to Group 6 leader, Norway.

Norway’s four victories in Rounds 1 & 2 and Rounds 3 & 4 meant they booked their spot to Hungary and Croatia early on. With one position remaining in Group 6, this match was vital for continuing in the competition.

It was clear that Group 6’s remaining position was not going to be decided easily – though Romania were the favourites going in to the match, Belarus made it clear they were ready to fight for their spot.

The first half of the game was fairly even, with Romania attempting to breakaway several times, only to be caught again by the determined home side. At half-time there was a one-goal difference between the teams (13:14), which continued through the remaining 30 minutes after the break.

Belarus’ perseverance saw them take the lead for the first time in the 50th minute (25:24), which made for a tense last ten minutes. In the end, experience proved the most important factor, helping the Romanians to edge ahead to a two-goal lead (28:30) by the final whistle.

Wednesday’s victory puts Romania in a strong position to clinch second place on the Group 6 table, though the close score line demonstrates the result of Sunyday’s match, when both teams meet in Baia Mare, is far from decided.

Group 1: Lithuania vs. Ukraine 25:36 (12:15)

With Ukraine in vital need of a win if they wished to remain in contention for one of the nine remaining spots at the EHF EURO 2014, Wednesday’s match in Kaunas was bound to be a tense one.

When the teams met for their first-leg EHF EURO 2014 qualifier, Ukraine bested Lithuania by three goals (30:27).

Lithuania and Ukraine were not the only countries for whom this match was of great importance, as Austria had the possibility of confirming themselves as second place in Group 1 if Lithuania recorded a win or draw.

The first five minutes of the match indicated a tight battle was ahead, with the teams scoring evenly and both shooting superbly.

Around the ten minute mark however, Ukraine began to run away with the lead. By the 15th minute the visitors had created a three-goal difference (4:7), which they had increased to six by the 20th (4:10).

After more than ten minutes without a Lithuanian goal, the home side finally got back in touch with the scoreboard and closed the gap to 12:15 by half-time, though statistically Ukraine was still dominating.

Lithuania’s late surge in the first half hinted at a more dramatic second half, but when the half began, Ukraine went about increasing their lead immediately, creating a nine-goal difference by the 45th minute (18:27).

Though Lithuania fought hard to decrease the score line, Ukraine’s superior performance, in particular with regard to shooting – several players recorded 100 per cent shooting accuracy for the match – meant the remaining 15 minutes belonged to the visitors.

The final score was a convincing win in favour of Ukraine (36:25). The top scorer for the match was Ukraine’s Iuliaa Managarova, who finished the match with eight goals from eight attempts.

On Sunday, Lithuania will play their second-leg match against already-qualified Denmark and Ukraine will face Austria in a true final for second rank in Group 1.

Group 7: FYR Macedonia vs. Germany 21:23 (11:9)

One of Wednesday’s most anticipated matches was the meeting between FYR Macedonia and Germany.

Germany had the chance to seal their qualification with a victory over FYR Macedonia, but it was the young Macedonian team who showed up more than ready to play on Wednesday, immediately taking the lead and keeping the visitors from scoring until the 12th minute (5:1).

"Our start was terrible, but then we showed that we are a team," said German top scorer Susann Müller, who netted six times.

Once Germany had their first point on the board, they began to slowly close the gap created by the home side in the early minutes of the game. By half-time, the score was a more promising 11:9 in favour of FYR Macedonia

The home team faced a tougher battle through the second half, as the Germans levelled the score then snatched the lead from the home side, creating a three-goal score line by the 50th minute (16:19).

The last ten minutes of the match saw a dramatic change from the first ten, when FYR Macedonia had appeared determined and confident. Toward the end of the game, Germany were clearly the more hungry of the two teams – an unsurprising fact at this point, given they were so close to the victory that would clinch their berth for Hungary and Croatia.

Clinch it they did, and Germany now join the list of teams contesting the EHF EURO 2014 later this year.

"We can play better, and we want to show it in the re-match on Saturday. But the most important fact is that we clinched the berth for the final tournament," said Germany's head coach Heine Jensen.  

Despite the match outcome, Macedonia’s powerful left back, Zorica Despodovska, dominated the scoreboard with eight goals. Germany and FYR Macedonia will face each other again on Saturday.

Group 4: Turkey vs. Spain 16:27 (6:13)

Spain were the clear favourites going into Wednesday’s match in Ankara, having defeated Turkey with a score of 28:11 when the teams last met. The visitors could not afford to relax however, as a win would clinch their berth to compete in the final tournament in December.

When dominant Spanish shooter, Alexandrina Cabral Barbosa missed the first penalty of the match in the first minute, the tone was set for what would be a relatively poor performance on behalf of the visitors and a slow game overall.

The first points of the match were not scored until the fifth minute for Spain, and the seventh minute for Turkey.

Once Spain had one point on the scoreboard, they set about increasing their lead, creating a seven-goal gap by half-time (6:13), which they increased further by the final whistle (16:27). 

Spain’s win means they have confirmed their position in the EHF EURO 2014 in December, whilst Turkey now have only very theoretical chances to qualify for the EHF EURO 2014.

Spain will face Italy in their final qualification match on Saturday. Sunday will see Turkey hosted by the Netherlands as an end to their qualification campaign.

Group 2: Slovakia vs. France 24:24 (15:12)

Boasting an unblemished qualification record on the path to the EHF EURO 2014, France had already booked their tickets to Hungary and Croatia prior to Wednesday’s match against Slovakia.

Such knowledge meant the French could relax slightly, though they would be facing a much more determined home side, who could clinch their berth on Wednesday with a draw.

With so much at stake for Slovakia, it came as no surprise when the home side began the game with far more determination than their counterparts, creating a three-goal lead by the 4th minute.

This lead would remain for much of the match, as France began to fight back, yet remained those elusive few goals behind.

Slovakia took their three-goal lead into half-time (15:12) and came back for the second thirty minutes just as ready to pursue the all-important victory.

Toward the end of the half however, France decided began to put the pressure on their rivals. By the 50th minute, the score was level and a battle began, with much more on the line for Slovakia.

A tense ten minutes of one-for-one goals ended the match in a draw, which, though a slight disappointment for Slovakia who looked to have a win coming their way, confirms Slovakia’s place as second in Group 2, thereby booking their spot to Hungary and Croatia in December.

Group 2: Finland vs. Iceland 20:29 (6:18)

If Iceland wanted to keep their hopes of qualification alive, they needed to record a victory in Karjaa. As the team won the first match against Finland decisively (34:18), this looked to be a very strong possibility.

Iceland showed their determination from the first whistle, immediately taking the lead and working to increase it throughout the half. By half-time, the visitors were in the lead 6:18.

The second thirty minutes were much the same, with Iceland continuing to increase their lead – until the 50th minute. At this point, the score line was a convincing 13 goals (16:29) in Iceland’s favour.

The victory looked to be sealed, but Finland were not giving up just yet. Fighting to the last whistle, Finland managed the impressive feat of keeping their rivals from scoring at all in the last ten minutes, whilst scoring four goals themselves, taking the final score to 20:29.

However, the victory did not help Iceland in the end as Slovakia took the all-important draw they needed against France which is just enough to keep Iceland at bay no matter the results of Qualification Round 6.

The final qualification match for Finland will take place on Sunday against France, whilst Iceland will play Slovakia, also on Sunday.

Photo: Kristian Molnar