Olympic qualification:

Handball players win big and look forward to the final

Scoring frenzy in Hanover

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

With their first victory in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Hanover, Austria's handball players have remained in the running for a ticket to Paris. Two days after their opening defeat against Croatia, Mykola Bilyk and Co. beat Algeria 41:26 (20:13) on Saturday and now have their hoped-for final game against hosts Germany on Sunday (14:10/live ORF 1). Germany had previously helped the Croatians to qualify with a 30:33 defeat.

This brings back memories of the most recent European Championship in January, also in Germany, when Austria wrestled a 22:22 draw from the hosts, but missed out on a win in the final, which probably cost them an even better final result. The eighth-placed team in the European Championship must now make up for this victory on Sunday, as a draw would not be enough due to the fewer goals scored with the same goal difference.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

"We wanted the final against Germany. We have all the cards in our hand tomorrow to win this game," said circle player Tobias Wagner. "The draw at the European Championship still hurts a bit, we want to forget that." Ales Pajovic was similarly pleased. "The boys believe in it," said the team boss, who was able to rest numerous players during the match. "They took their chance very well."

It was only exciting in the ZAG Arena against Algeria in the opening minutes. Despite a less than flawless start, Austria were firmly in control from the first lead, 3:2 in the fifth minute. The game was actually over after 8:3 (10th minute) at the latest, even if the African runners-up sniffed their way back to 7:9 (15th minute). Lukas Hutecek's team picked up the pace again, went six goals in front for the first time three minutes later and did not allow their opponents to close the gap decisively from then on.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Pajovic made changes before the break in view of the very short recovery time, with Markus Mahr at the back and Eric Damböck and Jakob Nigg on the wing gaining further experience. It was the latter who increased the lead to plus 7 for the first time virtually at the final whistle of the first half.

After the restart, Austria also practised successfully in the 7:6 overtime game. The gap remained constant for the time being, as Algeria kept scoring easy goals. However, the North Africans, who had lost 29:41 to Germany in the opening game, were miles away from turning the tide. The Algerian resistance only came to a standstill in the final period and the ÖHB team continued to increase their lead goal by goal with many bench players. It was almost enough to overtake Germany in terms of goal difference, but they conceded the decisive goal just seconds before the end. "We knew that at the end, but it doesn't matter. We play to win and not to draw anyway," emphasized wing Sebastian Frimmel, the best ÖHB scorer with 8 goals.

Ales Pajovic

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

One goal too few
After the restart, Austria also successfully practiced their 7:6 overtime game. The gap remained constant for the time being because Algeria kept scoring easy goals. However, the North Africans, who had lost 29:41 to Germany in the opening game, were miles away from turning the tide. The Algerian resistance only came to a standstill in the final period and the ÖHB team continued to increase their lead goal by goal with many bench players.

It was almost enough to overtake Germany in terms of goal difference, but they conceded the decisive goal just seconds before the end. "We knew that at the end, but it doesn't matter. We play to win and not to draw anyway," emphasized wing Sebastian Frimmel, the best ÖHB scorer with 8 goals.