19.11.2007, 04:44
Hypo qualify with victory in Norway

The Austrians keep winning in Group C, but they had to work hard to earn the points against Larvik.

Hypo qualify with victory in Norway

Larvik had to win the game if they wanted to keep their chances to progress to the next group stage alive. The hosts took a perfect start and kept Hypo under a lot of pressure. The Norwegian champions took an early lead (4:1 after five minutes) and defended well.

And Hypo that won the first three group-games? As Larvik guarded the backcourt players, Tímea Tóth and Gorica Acimovic closely, only Seogn-ok Oh kept their hopes for a fourth straight win alive. And it worked for the

Austrians: after 14 minutes the score was equal again – though it was pure work and not a spectacular show.

Larvik ended the first half well, scored three in a row and it was 18:15 for the hosts at halftime.

Hypo came out for the second half with more shooting power! Tímea Tóth (six goals in the second half) and Gori Acimovic (seven after the break) dominated the game, but Dani Piedade also had a superb game as a pivot.

Hypo came back goal by goal. They did not concede a goal for five minutes and the Austrians turned a 22:23 into a 26:23 lead that they defended in the rest of the game.

Another positive sign for the guests was that goalkeeper Petra Blazek saved two very important balls and Hypo won this game at the end by 34:33. Larvik have only a theoretical chance to reach next group stage that Hypo reach already after four games and four wins.

"This win was not a spectacular one, it was down to hard work," said Hypo’s manager, Gunnar Prokop, after the game. "Imagine what we can do if we start playing well..."

TEXT: Eurohandball.com