22.08.2015, 04:51
Favourites set for final showdown in Skopje

ROUND REVIEW: Russia face Denmark in the final of the Women’s 17 EHF EURO after clear semi-final wins for both teams

Favourites set for final showdown in Skopje

Before the start of the Women's 17 EHF EURO in Skopje, many people saw Russia and Denmark as two of the hottest favourites to take the title in the Macedonian capital.

So far, these predictions have been proven right, as the Russians will take on the Danes in the final at the Jane Sandanski arena late Sunday afternoon.

Champions League stars witness masterclass

Russia and Hungary opened the semi-final night at the Jana Sandanski, and the Russians, who had not lost a single point on their way to the semi-finals, continued their winning streak, as they defeated the Hungarians 33:24.

However, even with Russian men's senior national team players such as Timur Dibirov, Sergey Gorbok and Danil Shishkarov as supporters among the spectators, the young Russians had their trouble at the start, as Hungary took early 3:0 and 4:1 leads.

Russia soon got their game going, though. Six goals in succession gave them a three goal lead at 7:4, and this lead was increased to five goals at 12:7 and 14:9 as well as to six goals at 16:10 and the half-time score of 17:11.

Early in the second half, Russia even increased their lead to ten goals at 23:13 before maintaining the gap until the final buzzer.

Danes dominate

Before the tournament, Denmark’s coach Heine Eriksen had expressed concern about the depth of his squad.

So far, however, the Danish squad has remained strong throughout.

Unlike Russia, the Danes did not enter the semi-finals as undefeated, but their 22:20 defeat to France in their last main round match meant nothing to their first place finish in their main round group and in the semi-final against Romania the Danes were back on track from the start.

Denmark opened a five-goal lead early on and they dealt well with Romania’s offensive defensive tactics. The Danish girls continued to score goals at a steady pace and took a 19:14 advantage into the dressing rooms.

After the break, it did not take the Danes long to double their lead to ten goals at 25:15, and although the Romanians managed to slow down the Danish scoring pace a bit and reduce the gap a little, they were never able to threaten the Danes, who clinched their final berth through a 31:23 win.

The final between Russia and Denmark takes place in the Jane Sandanski on Sunday at 17:30 hrs local time.

TEXT: Peter Bruun / cor