Romania hold down Kosovo in EHF EURO 2018 qualifier

Romania are on a good way to the Men’s EHF EURO 2018 Qualification Play-offs following their second consecutive win against Kosovo.

The team of head coach Aiher Omer won the second leg with ease after they had already triumphed in the first leg on Wednesday.

The matches marked Kosovo's debut on the European handball stage after they had been granted full membership by the EHF Congress in September.

Group  C: Kosovo - Romania 16:30 (10:15)

After they had won 36:24 on home court on Wednesday, Romania did not have any problems either to beat Kosovo again when the second leg to place in Pristina on Saturday evening.

Romania now lead Group C with the maximum of four points and even though Kosovo remain winless, their fans saw a strong performance, in particular in the match's first 45 minutes, in what was Kosovo's first EHF EURO qualifier on home court.

Kosovo played on the same level as Romania until and beyond the middle of the first half as the score stood at 11:9 in favour of Romania. in the 22nd minute.

Then Romania accelerated and started putting enormous pressure on Kosovo, leaving the home team behind 15:10 at half-time.

Wing player Valentin Ghionnea had a brilliant day and eventually scored eight times from eight attempts in the entire match.

After the break Kosovo lacked power and the skills to keep up with Romania. The score line remained close until the 45th minute when it stood at 16:20, but after that moment Kosovo did not score a single goal, while Romania scored the last ten of this match.