07.07.2013, 02:33
Sweden prevail at European Open

Confident win in the final against Romania grants hosts the title at home tournament

Sweden prevail at European Open

The hosts claimed the title at the Men's 19 European Open in Gothenburg when Sweden beat Romania 31:22 in the tournament's final ahead of 5,700 spectators in the city's Scandinavium on Friday night (5 July).

Denmark, which for the first time had sent a men's team to the event, finished third after beating Spain 23:22 in a hotly contested bronze medal match.

Early into in the tournament, Sweden had positioned themselves as one of the favourites, winning all four of their group matches.

A 16:23 loss against Denmark in the main round did not stop them on their way, as a confident 38:12 win against Slovakia was enough to secure the first rank in main round group 1 and therefore the berth in the final.

Romania had reached the main round as second ranked team from group C in the preliminary round.

During the main round they benefitted from Spain's 20:23 loss against Portugal and - courtesy of two wins against Austria and Portugal - finished the second main round group first ranked.

However, they had to settle for silver early in the final as Sweden had already powered away to 15:10 at half-time before confidently securing the victory in second half.

All-Star Team announced

However, Romania were consoled with having the tournament's most valuable player in the team as Ramon Alln Somlea was awarded this honour.

Russia's Alexsander Kotov became best defence player while Dimitrij Kuttel from Switzerland clinched the tournament's top scorer crown with 56 goals.

Switzerland's goalkeeper Flavio Wick was named into the All Star Team. He was accompanied by Edgar Perez Lopez (best left wing, Spain), Simon Jeppson (best left back, Sweden), Kragh Cornelius Aastrup (best playmaker, Denmark), Adrian Vladut Rotaru (best line player, Romania), Ignacy Bak (best right back, Poland) and Matthias Fuhrer (best right wing, Austria).

TEXT: EHF / ts