| Handball News |
Handball News  (26/01/2008) Sweden takes fifth place after thriller |
A play-off win for Sweden against Norway and direct qualification to the World Championship.
Sweden needed four halves of extra time to beat Norway in the fifth/sixth play-off match at Euro 2008.
The Scandinavian neighbours Norway and Sweden faced each other in the match for fifth place at Euro 2008.
After a close first half, the Swedes capitalised on mistakes by the Norwegians and scored four goals on counter attacks before Norway got their first goal of the half.
Norway fought back from seven goals behind and the nerves got to the Swedes. Norway equalised to 26-26 and the match went to extra time.
“Perhaps we took the lead a little too early. It would have been better if we had got it midway through the second half”, the coach of Sweden, Ingemar Linnell said.
The teams could not be separated after two extra halves. But after another 10 minutes of extra time Sweden were able to celebrate a 36-34 win.
“It’s fantastic that we were the strongest team in the end”, Linnell says.
The Swedes can now book their tickets for Croatia next year.
The fifth place gives them a direct place in the world championship.
Norway now has to qualify through the play offs.
They will know who will be their opponents after the draw on Sunday. |
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