Norway maintained the winning streak | handball.no
On Saturday, the handball girls played their second match in the Intersport Cup in Stavanger, which is their dress rehearsal before the EC in November. After losing against the Netherlands on Thursday, Denmark awaited as the next opponent in the tournament.
Denmark has not beaten Norway since 2014, where during these years they have met 16 times.
It took over three minutes before the game’s first goal came, and it came from Norway. Just as behind, Denmark came up with the equaliser. The teams played evenly and it was 3-3 after ten minutes, but then Denmark pulled away.
A white-clad Denmark got ahead with three goals, before Norway reduced to 4-6. The away team kept the two-goal lead until half-time, but then increased the lead to 8-5. Then Ragnhild Valle Dahl also came on the field, and made her debut for the Handball girls.
The Norwegian girls fought in defense, but could not attack. Denmark could thereby increase its leadership. The Norwegian girls fell behind 5-10, but Denmark again increased the lead to a six-goal lead. Henny Reistad tried to score, but got a free throw and Emilie Hovden placed the ball nicely in the goal on the free throw. On the other side of the field, Denmark did not get the chance, and with a new Norwegian score they saw to the reduction to 8-12.
Denmark again came in front with five, but the Norwegian girls gradually found their form. In the final minutes, the Norwegian girls reduced their lead by three goals and came a goal behind. It was 12-14 at the break.
The second half also started with over three scoreless minutes, but again Norway had the first score of the half and reduced the lead to one goal. After five minutes, the Norwegian girls equalized at 15-15.
Kathrine Lunde ended up with a save percentage of 34 percent. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle
The two Nordic teams played evenly for the next few minutes, but just before halftime, Norway took a 21-20 lead. Both defense and attack worked better, but Denmark got back in front with a goal. Kathrine Lunde put an end to Denmark being able to increase the lead further, and Norway was able to equalize again.
The handball girls came back in front with a goal when there were five minutes to go. The home team then gets the opportunity to increase to a two-goal lead on a free throw, but it was a Danish save and then an equalizer on the other side to 27-27. Norway stopped Denmark’s last attack and took a timeout with just ten seconds left. They set up an attack that worked well, where Reistad had to finish. She put the last goal of the game behind the Danish goalkeeper and ensured a Norwegian victory 28-27 over Denmark.
Norway plays its next match in the Intersport Cup on Sunday at 16:45. Then it’s Brazil waiting for the second half.
COMBAT FACTS
Intersport Cup
Norway – Denmark 28-27 (12-14)
DNB Arena, Stavanger, Norway
Top scorer Norway: Henny Reistad – 9 goals
Top scorer Denmark: Simone Cathrine Petersen – 5 goals
Expulsions: Norway 3x 2min, Denmark 6x 2min
See full match report here.
Read more about the Intersport Cup here.
Read more about the Handball girls here.