A dramatic game between Hungary and Croatia opens the Ko round at the Handball World Cup. Marin Šipić makes 31:30 (16:16) success with the final siren clear and Croatia is still moving into the World Cup semi-final.
Domagoj Duvnjak hits his hands over his head. The end of the career in the Croatian national team is averted, although the co-host was 26:30 behind against Hungary five minutes before the end. Three parades by Ivan Pešić and a 5-0 run save Croatia, Marin Šipić hits the last second.
The Croatians are in the semi -finals, meet in the capital Zagreb on Thursday on France or Egypt. Afterwards it goes to Oslo for Duvnjak & Co., where the game for third place and the final take place on Sunday.
Sigurdsson – “Magic things happened”
“The end of the game was incredible, magical things happened,” said Croatia coach Dagur Sigurdsson. “Something like that happens every ten years.” The Icelander, who became European champion with Germany in 2016, thanked the 15,600 fans in the Arena Zagreb and also addressed words to the losers. “Thanks to Hungary for an incredible game, you were great.”
Even before kick-off, the mood in the hall almost boiled over, thousands of fans in red and white-blue outfits were feverishly towards the neighborhood duel. Nevertheless, the Croatian players were not tired of encouraging fans, even after the first goal of the game of Marin Šipić (1st). The mood was absolutely worthy of a World Cup quarterfinals!
Hungary with strong start in the “Croatian living room”
Hungary coach Chema Rodriguez surprised with a change in the goal. László Bartucz started instead of the actual number one Kristóf Palasics. This paid off several times in the initial phase, because the 33-year-old pulled the “volume plug” with almost 50%fishing rate. The outsider from Hungary played patiently at the front, but quite spectacular – Hamburg’s Ilić by Kempa to 8: 5 (15th). In their own majority, the Hungarians made a number of simple mistakes, which means that the Croatians were able to convert a four-goal deficit into a 16:16 draw for the break.
After the break, Dominik Kuzmanović in particular turned up. After his eighth parade (37th), the second best goalkeeper of the tournament made for the 20:19 lead – by throw over the entire field. A red card against Patrik Ligetvári, the defense chief (45th) of the Magyaren brought a new turn, surprisingly per Hungary. The experienced Richárd Bodó set out to 24:21 (47th).
The beginning of a dramatic final phase. Mateo Maraš like from the back room for 24:24 (50th), Hungary moved back to 27:24 (52nd) and finally 30:26 (55.). But the outsider’s last goal remained.
Limping duvnjak pulls important seven meters
After the foul from Sipos to Martinović (58.), the Hungarians went into the last minute with one man less. For this crucial phase, Sigurðsson sent Captain Duvnjak to the record and seconds later pulls the penalty throwing the Glavaš (30:30) ice cold. The Croatians use the momentum because Hungary does not come to an end and Marin Šipić hits the 31:30 victory with a final whistle.