18.11.2013, 04:04 BLOG: ehfTV commentator Tom O'Brannagain shares his impressions after the German derby in Group D between HSV Hamburg and SG Flensburg Handewitt. |
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Exemplar
Sometimes a commentator is just a fan. I know I am. And I know I was at the game in the O2 between Hamburg and Flensburg to commentate, but sometimes I just sat back and admired the various pieces of the puzzle that go into making a team. The links between defence and attack were demonstrated in such a simplicity of execution in a match that shone like a beacon of how two teams can play handball.
With this in mind each coach went about their business in a very "business-like" fashion. The edge of last year's quarter final match was noticeably missing and although both teams went out to win (of that there is no doubt), there was a sense of this being a kind of exhibition game.
How to play a pressing defence; Hamburg. How a goalkeeper works angles; Bitter. Flexiblity and reactions in a goalie; Andersson. Shooting: Weinhold, Duvnjak etc etc. the list is endless. There were no kempas or trick shots just a match that any coach could look at and say that's something I can show my players.
He gave all the 'usuals' the afternoon off and although the young guns couldn't beat Hamburg, the 5 goal win slightly flatters the home team. The youngsters showed great willingness to keep going and a calmer head and better shot choices from Radivojevic and things could have been tighter. Another pointer for coaches that you can give youth a chance.
There were times when I just sat back and watched the beauty of our game and wondered again what it would be like to be a fan.
The first half was nail biting. The second, for all it's speed and power just seemed to lack a certain "je ne sais quoi". But for all that, it was great to watch. It filled the heart. It restored some artistic merit to the game particularly after the bludgeoning battle we saw from Skopje last Thursday. Representatives from Qatar 2015 came to see the event. They couldn't have gone away disappointed. I know I didn't. TEXT: Tom O'Brannagain, ehfTV commentator |
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