U-gutta with a strong victory against Denmark
U-gutta (LM04) started the EC in the best possible way with a win against Slovenia in the opening match. Denmark were the opponents in the second match of the group stage.
Henrik Nielsen had lowered his shooting arm and opened the scoring account with a rush in the cross which had been played before two minutes. A minute later, Norway doubled the lead and the score was 2-0 three minutes after the referees blew the match.
The Norwegian guys were screwed in defense from the start and it took almost four minutes before Denmark put their first ball between the posts. The away team gradually gained momentum in their attacking play, and after seven minutes they equalized at 3-3.
After a couple of Norwegian expulsions, Denmark had built up a two-goal lead five minutes later. After twelve minutes the score had become 4-6. Soon after, the Norwegians took back the initiative and when the round was half played, both teams were level at 7-7.
It was tight between the teams for the next few minutes. Neither Denmark nor Norway managed to obtain any significant leadership. With five minutes left in the half, it was still tied, and both teams stood at 11 goals.
The Norwegian guys impressed towards the end of the round. With good attacking play and a penalty save from Henrik Ibsen, the home team secured a two-goal lead at the break. When the teams went into the locker room, the scoreboard showed 15-13.
Also in the second half, it was Norway who put the first shot on target. It went quickly for both teams and after just over a minute three balls had gone between the posts. The position had then become 17-14. The Norwegians were still sharpest in the opening minutes and barely five minutes into the half, the Norwegian guys were five goals ahead of the Danes at 20-15. Denmark’s coach felt compelled to take an early timeout.
The short chat turned out to do the trick for the Danes, who scored three goals the following minute after the referees blew the match again. Barely ten minutes into the half, the away team was on target, only behind the Norwegian guys. The score was then 21-19.
Norway managed to keep the lead for a long time, but eleven minutes before the end, Denmark equalized at 25-25. With less than eight minutes left in the game, the Danes took the lead for the first time in the half. The teams followed each other closely for the next few minutes. Norway took back the lead with five minutes left in the match. The score was then 29-28.
Three minutes before the end, the Danes were a goal ahead again, while Norway suffered a expulsion. Even with one player less, the Norwegian guys did well in attack and equalized at 30-30 with two minutes left in the game. Half a minute later it was Norway who were in the lead 31-30.
The Danes reduced once again with just over a minute left in the game and it was to be a nerve-wracking end to the game. With less than 60 seconds left on the clock, Norway put another ball behind the Danish goalkeeper and took the lead. The Norwegians were skilled in the subsequent defense and pressured the Danes into a technical error. With fifteen seconds left in the game, Norway had ball control and the opportunity to secure the win.
The Norwegian guys kept their composure in the last seconds and thus went out victorious from their second match in the EC.
U-gutta plays its next match against Serbia on Sunday. The match starts at 20.00 and can be followed on EHFtv.
COMBAT FACTS
EC men (LM04) group stage
Norway – Denmark 15-13 (32-31)
SC Moraca, Montenegro
Top scorer Norway: Jesper Røisland and Torger Edland, 6 goals
Top scorer Denmark: Emil Oxenvad Tonnesen, 9 goals
Expulsions: Norway 5 x 2 minutes, Denmark 5 x 2 minutes
Read more about U-gutta here.