The duel between Norway and Romania was expected, so that perhaps they could celebrate their qualification to the Olympic Games last night, but all options are still open. The current European champion defeated Kristina Neaga and her friends 29:24 and annulled the goal difference, because he lost to the "lionesses" 28:23.
With that, numerous calculations were created, and Kim Rasmussen's selection is the same as the night before, when it defeated the Scandinavians - a win, a draw or a defeat of up to four goals against Romania leads to Tokyo, while a defeat with six or more goals means the end of the Olympic dream. But, if plus five is correct for the Romanian women, then an extremely interesting situation would be created, because no one would have either a positive or a negative goal difference. In that case, any defeat by five points with a minimum of 24 goals would suit the "lionesses", and that is the only way for the Norwegian women not to see the sun in the country where it rises.
Last night, Montenegrin handball players watched a match that was spoiled by the Danish referees Karina Kristijansen and Line Heseldal-Hansen by obviously rooting for their neighbors, and after it Majda Mehmedović announced to "Vijesti" that in her mind the "lionesses" only had a triumph in today's game (16 p.m. ).
- Honestly, I don't think about defeat. Before the start of the tournament and all this euphoria, our main goal was to beat Romania. We knew even on Friday that every point, every goal is very important, which we can see now. But we don't think about calculations and mathematics. We will go out on the pitch to fight, to do our best and try to beat Romania. Considering that and the fact that we are playing at home, there is no room to think about anything else - stressed the 30-year-old Baranka.
Rasmussen, Bojana Popović and their chosen ones did not see anything new in the game of the team whose bench saw the debut of Per Johansson's former assistant in the Montenegrin national team, Adrijan Vasile. Everything revolves around Kristina Neagu, who plays center Krina Pinte and wings, and has little help from the other guards.
- Romania played very well, especially in attack, but everything depends on Kristina. The goalkeepers were not up to par, but it was the first time I saw Norway not playing relaxed, in spasms, so this is not realistic - emphasized the left winger of Buducnost.
Montenegro played a phenomenal defense against Norway 5:1, they will try to do it again today.
- The recipe is the same as for any other opponent - stay focused only on our game, respect every player and play defense at the level that was against Norway and play a good attack.
The goal is not to fall into the trap of thinking that a four-goal defeat is acceptable.
- Maybe it's easier mentally when you know you can go into the red, but no one wants to end the last game with a defeat, but with a positive feeling and good energy, especially when it's played at home. The girls, except me and Jovanka, are less experienced and may not have been in these situations, but the coach will tell them that we are going out to fight. I also hope that the result will come in its own way - concluded Mehmedović.
With heart and defense to Tokyo
One of the heroines of the match with Norway was Ljubica Nenezić, who saved nine shots, but also with excellent positioning forced the Scandinavians to often shoot past, over the goal, into the box...
- For the umpteenth time, we left our hearts on the field. We believed in winning against Norway. Our energy and defense paid off. We acted powerfully, we completely closed the middle, Oftedal couldn't do anything to us. Now Romania is waiting for us, and good energy, a lion's heart and defense will give a result - said the 24-year-old goalkeeper.
Andrea Klikovac was an unsolvable enigma for the European champion, especially when she had the strength, because she had recently contracted the coronavirus. Now she is waiting for a duel with girls she knows very well, because she plays for ĆSM Bucharest.
- No one believed that we could beat Norway, let alone lead during the entire match. Everyone expected a 6:0 defense from us, and we played 5:1 and surprised. We played patiently and smartly in attack. Every move was spot on. Every player helped the team and made their own contribution - said Klikovac.
Hungary, Russia and Sweden are going to the Olympics, Spain is waiting
After France, the host of Japan, Brazil, South Korea, Angola and the Netherlands, Hungary, Russia and Sweden also qualified for the Olympic Games.
The Hungarian women defeated Serbia 31:23 and wrote off Ljubomir Obradović's team, which also lost to Russia (29:24) on the first day of the qualifying tournament in Djerba. "Zbornaja" routinely defeated Kazakhstan 33:26 and tonight (20.30:1 p.m.) they will only decide who will win the XNUMXst place in the group against the hosts.
Sweden finished the job with a victory over underachieving Argentina (34:21) at the tournament in Spain. The "Warriors", who drew with the Scandinavians on the first day (28:28), tonight (19.30:XNUMX p.m.) have a win against the Argentines...
Hergeirson: We can only wait and hope
Romania goalkeeper Denisa Dedu was angry about the refereeing.
- I am sad, but also proud of the team. We didn't give up, but I'm disappointed with the judges. I don't usually comment on that, I think they were pushing Norway. A new duel is waiting for us, we have one more chance, we will fight for a place at the Olympic Games - said the member of ĆSM Bucharest.
Norway has one foot in the OI, but could be eliminated if Romania wins by exactly five points, with a score of 29:24 or more.
- I'm a little sad that we didn't celebrate with six points. If we are unlucky, we will know that we have lost our place in the Olympic Games in the first game against Montenegro. As we played against Romania, we can compete in the OI and maybe win the gold. Now we are waiting to see what will happen, we can only hope - said the coach of Norway, Torir Hergeirson.
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