An amazing match in the quarterfinals of the men’s handball players. Two overtimes

The match between Spain and Norway ended in the best possible way – after 80 minutes of fighting and two overtimes. In the 68th minute, Gonzalo Perez de Vargas, the goalkeeper of the Spaniards, brilliantly won the duel alone with Sebastian Barthold. A moment later Alex Dujshebaev (elected MVP of the match), who had previously wasted two throws in a row, showed off a great action. He was attacked by two defenders, but he scored anyway. A moment later, Perez de Vargas did a great job again in goal. 40 seconds before the end, the Spaniards were leading 29:28 and had the ball. However, Alex Duyshebaev made a wrong pass to the circle and five seconds from the end Kristian Bjornsen counter-attacked led to the second overtime. After the final siren, Joan Canellas Reixach tried a free-kick, but it was blocked.

In the second half of the overtime, it was again blow for blow. With 48 seconds left, Daniel Dujshebayev, Spain’s playmaker, put Spain ahead 35:34. Nine seconds from time, the hitherto unmistakable Kristian Bjornsen (9/9 shot) missed from the right wing. His throw was brilliantly saved by Gonzalo Perez de Vargas.

The Spaniards took the game in the last second

Looking at the statistics of the previous matches between Spain and Norway, the first team was the clear favourite. The Norwegians have won eleven of their last thirteen matches. On the other hand, last year the Spaniards won the European Championship 27:23 and the Golden League was tied 26:26.

Now the duel Spain – Norway was very even again. Still in the 49th minute, after Alex Dujshebaev’s goal, it was 22:22. Then for four minutes the Spaniards did not concede a goal and conceded two. Their coach, Jordi Ribera, took time out and decided to once again play on two pivots and without a center point guard in this match. This maneuver had an immediate effect, as the rotating Figueras scored two goals in a row from clean positions. The same player in the 58th minute, with the Norwegians leading 25:24, missed a penalty kick. He was brilliantly saved by the rivals’ reserve goalkeeper, Kristian Saeveras, who also stopped Joan Canellas Reixach’s seven-meter kick a few minutes earlier.

With 40 seconds left, Gonzalo Perez de Vargas saved Sander Sagosen’s second-line kick and the Spaniards had the ball to take the game into extra time. Ribera took time-out again, followed by Torbjorn Bergerud saving Alex Dujshebaev’s wing kick. The Norwegians had 19 seconds to hold onto the lead. They passed the ball for a long time, had clear chances, but did not decide to take a shot. As a result, the referees took the ball away from them. The Spaniards played fast action, Daniel Dujshebaev hit the wheel and led to extra time.

In another quarter-final on Wednesday, Denmark beat Hungary 40:23 (21:12). In the evening, the last two quarter-finals: France – Germany and Sweden – Egypt. Both meetings start at 8.30 p.m.

In the semi-final on Friday, January 27, the Spaniards will face the winner of the France-Germany match in Gdańsk. The Danes will play the same day at 20.30 in Stockholm with Sweden or Egypt.

Spain – Norway 35:34 after two overtimes (25:25, 12:13)