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Croatia – Germany 23-20 (12-12)
Croatia has achieved impressive results in the European Handball Championship.
On Tuesday night, the Croats performed a new feat and reached the semi-finals for the first time in history in a championship. Germany had to beat Croatia by two goals in the last match of the main round, but the Croats won the match 23-20.
Croatia follows group winner Norway, who secured their place in the semi-finals with a 36-25 victory over Croatia on Saturday.
CAME TO TEARS: Croatian marksman Camila Micijevic. Photograph: Petter Arvidson / BILDBYRÅN
– I thought they would finish last in terms of past achievements and what they have. Then you will see what a unique result in the opening match (victory over Hungary) can help. It’s a team that fights with the heart on the outside of the suit, says TV 2 handball expert Bent Svele.
Goalkeeper Tea Pijevic played a great match for Croatia and saved 50 percent of German shots. Ana Debelic became the top scorer of Croatia with six goals in six finals.
After 12-12 at halftime, Croatia connected control of the match early in the second half when the Germans failed to score in almost ten minutes.
In the final seconds, Krotia’s pitcher, Camila Micijevic, burst into tears.
At the European Championship in France two years ago, Croatia was the worst of the 16 nations.
– I’m very impressed. Honestly, it is a craft. The work ethic often outperforms the class and they have players who have shown themselves well. The whole base is a brilliantly good defensive and goalkeeping game, and then they spend a lot of time attacking and come back. They are hard as a rock, says Svele.
Now expect a semi-final against Denmark, France or Russia on Friday.
– Norway took Croatia seriously and did an honest job, just like everyone else. They have to run with it all the time, and then Croatia will hold on for a while, then they can break them in the end. It is difficult to play against Croatia, says Bent Svele.
