Hosts power into expected final showdown

There was little in the way of a surprise on Saturday as host nation Austria and neighbours Czech Republic cruised into the Men’s 18 EHF Championship Final.

The opening 30 minutes between Austria and Turkey was a tight affair, with goals from Dogukan Keser keeping Turkey within touching distance – 15:12 at the break.

Turkey soon ran out of ideas, however, and Austria took full advantage, winning the second half 16:6 and booking a spot in the final with a 31:18 victory in front of 700 fans in Tulln.

The second semi-final panned out much in the same way, with Czech Republic leading Netherlands by a single goal, 10:9, at half-time.

While Czech keeper Simon Mizera was brilliant throughout, his attack began to step up in the second half.

Eight goals from Jakub Flajsar led the Czech attack, which proved too much for the Dutch to deal with and the central European side sealed a 28:18 win.

The Netherlands take on Turkey in the bronze medal match at 17:15 on Sunday 19 August, followed by the final between Austria and Czech Republic at 19:30.

At stake in the final is not only the title, but a spot in both the Men’s 18 and 20 EHF EURO events in two years’ time.

Follow the Men’s 18 EHF Championship in Austria

Official website: https://www.championship2018.at/
Playing schedule: http://www.eurohandball.com/ech/01-01/18/men/2018/round/1/Championship+-+AUT
ehfTV: https://www.ehftv.com/int/league/men-s-18-ehf-championship-2018-austria/792