The ÖHB team won on Thursday at the start of the second phase of the tournament in Cologne once morest the Hungarians, who were sovereign in the preliminary round, with 30:29 (17:17). The Austrians go into the prestigious duel with hosts Germany on Saturday (8.30 p.m./live ORF 1) undefeated.
Picture gallery: Austria’s handball men defeated Hungary 30:29
(Photo: GEPA pictures/ Norbert Schmidt) Bild 1/25
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After the two draws once morest Croatia and Spain in the preliminary round, team boss Ales Pajovic’s selection also proved once morest the 1986 runner-up world champions that they have caught up with the European leaders. This means the Austrians already have three points and have a very good chance of finishing a European Championship in the top ten for the third time, following eighth place in 2020 and ninth place in 2010. Even the best result in history is within reach.
The Austrians had to pay tribute to the intensive program in the preliminary round. Veteran Janko Bozovic and Moritz Mittendorfer were absent due to illness. Center builder Lukas Hutecek held out despite knee problems, while his partner Boris Zivkovic didn’t get much playing time due to a knee injury. But the surprise team at this European Championship so far didn’t let this upset them.
Image: (APA/EVA MANHART)
And also not from a bad start, following which the ÖHB selection quickly found themselves 3-0 behind. The Austrians found it difficult to crack the Hungarian defense in the early stages and initially mightn’t get Gabor Ancsin (four goals in the first eight minutes) under control. Captain Mykola Bilyk and Co. trailed from the start, but always kept the deficit within limits.
Led by Bilyk, Hutecek and veteran Robert Weber, the red-white-red team increased offensively, often attacked with seven field players and fought back. With a goal from Hungarian legionnaire Sebastian Frimmel to make it 13:13, Alex Pajovic’s team equalized for the first time, and thanks to a Hutecek goal a second before the half-time whistle, they went into the break tied.
Image: (APA/EVA MANHART)
The Hungarians once more had the better start to the second half. The Austrians missed a few chances, but a seven-meter shot (39′) saved by goalkeeper Constantin Möstl, the “man of the match”, initiated the next comeback. Tobias Wagner gave the ÖHB team the lead for the first time in the 43rd minute (23:22). Both goalkeepers were then in top form and the final phase was balanced and exciting. Bilyk took responsibility. The captain initially gave his team a 29:28 lead and scored the winning goal with his eighth goal 20 seconds before the end.
