Lithuania stun Germany to claim draw

Women’s EHF EURO 2018 Qualification continued on Wednesday with a clear victory for 2014 runners-up Spain, who hosted Turkey for their Group 6 opener in Melilla.

Also in Group 6, Germany and Lithuania played a thriller that ended with the first draw of the qualification phase, after Germany trailed through most of the match and equalised in the final two minutes.  

EHF EURO 2016 silver medallists the Netherlands began their campaign with a decisive win, against Belarus in Group 7, though it was not without some challenging periods as the hosts had to endure a close first quarter in each half before taking control.

In Group 5, Czech Republic met by determined Iceland, keeping the two points at home with a seven-goal win.

GROUP 5
Czech Republic vs Iceland 30:23 (15:11)

It was initially a level game with Czech Republic 4:3 in front at the end of the first 10 minutes and the score level at 8:8 at the 20-minute mark.

Iceland used a 5-1 defensive system to control Czech Republic’s attack and it kept them within reach for some time, but in the last 10 minutes of the half, the hosts began to show their strength.

Czech Republic found their way through the defence to create a decisive difference of four goals at the break. The hosts were helped by their much higher shooting accuracy, which stood at 71 per cent to Iceland’s 46 at the end of the first half. But Czech Republic could have held a clearer advantage had they not recorded nine technical faults in the same period.

Iceland kept pace through the opening 10 minutes of the second half, before Czech Republic reclaimed the momentum. The hosts improved their form dramatically from that of the first period, becoming increasingly comfortable as full-time approached.

An incredible triple save from goalkeeper Petra Kudlackova in the final minutes kept Iceland at bay, and the home team took the two points with a seven-goal win at the buzzer.

GROUP 6
Spain vs Turkey 35:16 (18:7)

With new coach Carlos Viver at the helm and a rejuvenated squad, EHF EURO 2014 silver medallists Spain took a victory that was never in doubt.

Five minutes into the game the hosts were already well in control. When they pushed ahead to 6:0 and Turkey had yet to find the back of the net, the visitors had no choice but to take a time-out. Turkey’s first goal came soon after, but they were clearly in for a difficult match.

Spain opened a 9:1 lead as the clock reached 10 minutes thanks to what was already Carmen Martin’s fourth goal. Spain’s goalkeeper Silvia Navarro not only made great saves, but served perfect fast-break throws for her side to pummel Turkey’s goal.

Spain finished the first half with a decisive lead of 11 goals, and could play at a more relaxed pace through the second 30 minutes as they were undoubtedly on their way to their first victory in the qualification phase. At the final whistle, they celebrated a 19-goal win.

Germany vs Lithuania 26:26 (11:14)

Germany’s first home match of the qualification phase did not turn out as coach Michael Biegler might have planned.

As hosts of the upcoming Women’s World Championship in December, Germany have been focused on developing their team in order to put on a strong showing – and the opening qualification match showed they have some work to do.  

The first quarter was level with the visitors holding the edge. After a two-minute suspension for Anna Loerper, Germany were kept scoreless for several minutes while Lithuania created a firm lead.

As half-time approached Lithuania maintained a steady advantage of three to four goals, before Germany’s Stella Kramer closed the gap to two on a fast break. The distance looked set to remain at two at half-time, but Marija Gedroit converted a free throw from nine metres after the buzzer, over Germany’s block, to pull her team back in front by three goals at the break.

The score line stayed at four in favour of Lithuania right through to the final five minutes, when Germany finally seemed to find their game. With three minutes on the clock they reduced the distance to two, then one in the 59th.

A save from Katja Kramarczyk in the crucial moment kept Lithuania from reopening a two-goal gap, and line player Jenny Karolius scored the equaliser in the next attack, leaving the teams to split the points at the final whistle.

GROUP 7
Netherlands vs Belarus 33:21 (16:10)

EHF EURO 2016 runners-up Netherlands opened their qualification campaign with a clear yet somewhat shaky victory that put their first two points on the Group 7 table.

After an uneasy opening quarter, which saw the hosts only one goal in front, the Netherlands recorded an 8:3 run through the second 15 minutes to hold a commanding half-time lead.

The second period saw the same pattern, with a level first 15 minutes where the Dutch could not afford to relax if they hoped to keep the same comfortable advantage. The score progressed one for one before Belarus appeared to run out of steam, and the Netherlands were able to increase the difference through the final quarter of the game in Eindhoven to finish with a 12-goal advantage.