Slovenia upset France to win Men's 20 EHF EURO at home
Just like they did against Portugal in their semi-final, host nation Slovenia turned around a one-goal half-time deficit against France in front of 5,000 spectators in the Zlatorog Hall in Celje.
The last two days of match action saw places 1-16 confirmed, with all the positions up to 11th qualifying through to the Men’s 21 World Championship in 2019.
Men’s 20 EHF EURO
Matchday Review: Finals, 5-11 Placement Round
Final: France vs Slovenia 30:31 (16:15)
Grego Ocvirk completed a succesful day at the office today, scoring 11 times against the French with their strong defence to not only win the top-scorer prize by one goal, but guide his side to a gold medal.
3/4 Placement Match: Germany vs Portugal 29:26 (14:11)
This duel of the disappointed saw both teams who lost their semi-finals yesterday compete for the final available medal place in Celje and it was a best player performance from the six-goal Jannek Klein that saw his Germany team take a three-goal victory over Portugal to claim bronze.
5/6 Placement Match: Croatia vs Spain 26:27 (12:13)
Two heavyweight nations played off for fifth spot with Croatia just falling short by one goal as Spain did enough - especially in a frantic last 21 seconds - to take a one-goal victory (27:26) despite an eight-goal, best player performance from Croatia's Josip Sarac.
7/8 Placement Match: Iceland vs Serbia 30:27 (13:12)
Nine goals from Petur Hauksson earnt him the best player award and his side an early-morning victory against Serbia as they northern Europeans ended their campaign in Slovenia with a well-earned win.
9/10 Placement Match: Norway vs Sweden 24:20 (16:6)
This all-Scandinavian clash was easily won by Norway, who had a 10-goal lead at the break but we were gradually pulled back in by the Swedes, but there was not enough time to close that original 10-goal gap as the match ended four in favour of the Norwegians.
11/12 Placement Match: Hungary vs Denmark 31:29 (15:16)
This was a play-off to qualify direct for the Men's 21 World Championship next year, with 11 places availabe. Denmark had looked strong in the first half, leading by one at the break but back came Hungary who showed some effective shooting.
Top scorers
Slovenia's Grega Ocvirk finished top scorer in Celje, on 57 goals, just one ahead of Portugal's Diogo Silva and Dominik Mathe on 45 strikes each.
All Star Team
Defender: Joshua THIELE (GER)
Goalkeeper: Robin PAULSEN HAUG (NOR)
Left Wing: Dylan NAHI (FRA)
Left Back: Grega OCVIRK (SLO)
Centre Back: Kyllian VILLEMINOT (FRA)
Pivot: Luis FRADE (POR)
Right Back: Diogo SILVA POR)
Right WinG: Domen NOVAK (SLO)
MVP: Diogo SILVA (POR)
Top Scorer: Grega OCVIRK (POR) - 57 goals
FINAL RANKING
1. Slovenia
2. France
3. Germany
4. Portugal
5. Spain
6. Croatia
7. Iceland
8. Serbia
9. Norway
10. Sweden
11. Hungary
12. Denmark
13. Israel
14. Romania
15. Russia
16. Poland
RESULTS – DAY 7 & 8
Saturday 28 July
15/16 Placement Match: Russia vs Poland 28:26 (12:11)
13/14 Placement Match: Israel vs Romania 30:28 (15:13)
11/12 Placement Match: Hungary vs Denmark 31:29 (15:16)
9/10 Placement Match: Norway vs Sweden 24:20 (16:6)
Sunday 29 July
Final: France vs Slovenia 30:31 (16:15)
3/4 Placement Match: Germany vs Portugal 29:26 (14:11)
5/6 Placement Match: Croatia vs Spain 26:27 (12:13)
7/8 Placement Match: Iceland vs Serbia 30:27 (13:12)
Follow the Men's 20 EHF EURO
Official website: https://www.m20ehfeuro.com/en/
Playing schedule: http://eurohandball.com/ech/00-01/20/men/2018/round/1/Final+Tournament
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mens20EHFEUROSlovenia/
ehfTV: https://www.ehftv.com/int/league/men-s-20-ehf-euro-2018/785
Photos: Slavko Kolar/Jurij Kodrun
TEXT: EHF
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