02.06.2016, 11:41
Shaky Russia make Denmark, Croatia and Montenegro happy

MATCH REVIEW: 15 of 16 spots for the Women’s EHF EURO 2016 in Sweden now confirmed after the conclusion of Qualification Phase 2, Round 5.

Shaky Russia make Denmark, Croatia and Montenegro happy

One match with three decisions; the expected Russian win in a rollercoaster match against Portugal (25:22) meant not only their opponents in group 6, Denmark, have booked their ticket to Sweden, but two more teams - Montenegro and Croatia – from group 4 too.

Montenegro qualify and regardless the results of the final qualification round in the matches between Croatia vs FYR Macedonia and Montenegro vs Slovenia, the Croatians also clinched their berth to Sweden.

Group 6: Portugal vs. Russia 22:25 (6:13)

The fans inside the Pavilhao Municipal das Travessas just south of Porto saw a crazy match of two completely different halves. Up until the half-time break, the Russians overran the hosts though coach Evgeny Trefilov had nominated younger players for his sides’ last two Women's EHF EURO 2016 qualification matches after their tickets to Sweden had been secured by game four.

In fact, Trefilov was not even on the bench for the game as the experienced Anatoly Skorobogatov assisted by Mikhail Seregin took coaching duties from the sidelines and they would have been proud of the Russian defence who initially stood like a wall, allowing Portugal just six goals in the first 30 minutes.

With a seven goal difference it was time for both sides to change, and they did.

But the match changed too.

From the 40th minute onwards Russia were too careless with their attacks and Portugal grabbed their chances. With the Russians leading 16:10, in just five minutes Portugal took control, reducing the distance to just two at 18:16 down and they were within one goal of levelling (20:19) with just under eight minutes to go.

But the Russians were ruthless in their attack when it mattered as three strikes from Anastasia Seradskaya and Karina Sisenova made it 24:20 to continue the perfect record for the Russians who, along with France, are the only team to have a maximum of 10 points from the five qualification games so far.

Top scorer of the match was 17-year-old Antonina Skorobogatchenko with seven goals.

TEXT: Bjorn Pazen/amc