Belgium and Bosnia take crucial wins

With a six-goal win at home against Turkey on Wednesday evening, Belgium made sure to spend at least one night as the No. 1 of Group 5 in the Men’s World Championship 2019 Qualification Phase 1.

In Group 6, Bosnia Herzegovina boosted their hopes of reaching the play-offs with a three-goal away win against leaders Switzerland.

Group 5: Belgium vs Turkey 27:21 (12:12)

Belgium will spend the night on top of the group after a solid second half secured them a clear home win against Turkey.

The Netherlands can take back the first place if they take both points in Greece on Thursday.

An equal first half ended 12:12, but in the last 30 minutes, the home team removed any doubt about the result.

The result also gave Belgium the advantage in the direct comparison with Turkey after their first match ended in a draw (27:27).

With eight goals each, Thomas Cauwenberghs and Damian Kedziora made crucial contribution to the Belgian win.

Belgium are leading the group with seven points, followed by the Netherlands with six and a match outstanding.

Turkey on five points and Greece, who are still without points, are left with no chance to proceed.

Group 6: Switzerland vs Bosnia Herzegovina 21:24 (12:12)

Bosnia Herzegovina went top of the group after handing Switzerland their first defeat.

Through five goals in a row in 15 minutes, the Bosnians turned an 18:16 deficit into a 21:18 lead with four and a half minutes left.

They never let go of that three-goal lead after that.

2561 spectators in the Sporthalle Kreuzbleiche in St. Galen saw Bosnia getting the better start to the match, leading 2:0, 3:1 and 4:2, before the home team got their game going and went ahead 11:8 and 12:9.

At half-time, however, it was all square again after a fine Bosnian finish to the first 30 minutes.

Switzerland opened up several two-goal leads after the break before the visitors made use of a 15-minute goal drought from the home team.

Bosnia and Switzerland are now sharing the lead in the group with four points each.

The second meeting between the two nations, Saturday in Tuzla, will decide who proceeds to the play-offs. Switzerland must win, any other result will send Bosnia through to the play-offs.