12.06.2013, 07:55
Important wins for Serbia and Slovenia

EHF EURO 2014 qualification summary part 1: Serbia put themselves back into the driving seat, while Slovenia can gear up for a decisive clash with Belarus

Important wins for Serbia and Slovenia

In Ljubomir Vranjes' inaugural match at the helm of the Serbian national team, Serbia beat Russia 29:28 and put themselves back into the driving seat in qualification for the EHF EURO 2014.

Slovenia beat Romania 31:22 and are now gearing up for a decisive clash with Belarus on 16 June.

Group 6: Romania vs. Slovenia 22:31 (11:14)

While Romania remain on zero points after five matches, Slovenia have their fate in their own hands in their final qualification match against Belarus on Sunday (16 June) after this clear victory.

With five points in their account, they need to beat Belarus to qualify for the EHF EURO 2014 in Denmark.

The team of coach Boris Denic was in full control of the game for the entire 60 minutes, benefitting from an early 14:9 lead, which the hosts reduced to 14:11 before the break.

However, the match became a clear-cut affair when Slovenia led 22:16 in the 40th minute. The Romanian resistance was broken and Slovenia cruised to a never threatened victory, even saving some vital energy ahead of the clash with Belarus.

Best Slovenian scorers were David Spiler with nine goals and right wing Dragan Gajic with seven. Andrei Grasu netted in six times for the hosts.

Group 7: Russia vs. Serbia 28:29 (11:17)

19 saves by goalkeeper Darko Stanic were the key to this crucial Serbian victory in Ljubomir Vranjes' inaugural match at the helm of the Serbian national team.

Courtesy of this victory, Serbia are now close to their ticket to Denmark as they have seven points in their account and rank ahead of Russia that remain on six points and missed the chance for an early qualification for the EHF EURO 2014.

With the home match against Bosnia and Herzegovina ahead, Serbia are the favourites in this group now. Russia will play their last match against Austria.

Serbia had a brilliant start into the match and led by six goals at the break. Petar Nenadic showed a strong match in the attack, scoring five times like his teammate Momir Ilic.

Russia improved after the break, but it was too late to turn the match around in their favour.

In the 52nd minute they had reduced the gap to one goal at 24:25 and even levelled the match at 26:26, but Serbia again powered away to 29:27, which proved to be too much for Russia to catch up once more.

Russian top scorer was Konstantin Igropoulo with nine goals.

TEXT: Björn Pazen / ts