10.10.2021, 10:05
Belarus snatch point in Germany

ROUND 2 REVIEW: Despite Julia Maidhof's ten goals, Germany earned only one point against Belarus

At home, Germany were seen as favourites against Belarus, but they faced tough opposition and ultimately ended the game in a 24:24 draw.

Now Henk Groener's team has three points after two games, while the Belarusians earned their first point in the qualification.

GROUP 3

Germany vs Belarus 24:24 (12:13)

• Karyna Ezhykava's goal lifted Belarus to a surprising 13:12 lead at half-time
• the tight fight continued into the second half, as none of the rivals could establish a more than two-goal lead
• 102 seconds from full-time, Julia Maidhof scored the last goal of the match, securing a draw for the Germans
• Maidhof stood out with ten goals in the game, including six from penalty shots; she also missed two seven-meters
• ten players netted for Belarus, with right wing Natallia Vasileuskaya being the best with five goals

Goalkeeping duo helped Belarus

Both goalkeepers did a good job for the visitors – Valiantsina Vaitulevich made a number of saves before the break, and Yuliya Kuntsevich, who entered the game midway through the second half, also left a very good impression.

Their effort did not help Belarus to claim their first-ever win against the Germans, yet a draw is also quite an achievement for the Eastern European side. In seven previous mutual encounters, the Belarusians earned only one draw, losing six times.

TEXT: EHF / Sergey Nikolaev