One last performance before the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
The Hungarian women's handball team wrapped up the Women's European Handball Cup against Austria, which was also the last time they were able to practice live, under match conditions, for the five-round qualifying tournament to be held in Debrecen from next Thursday to Sunday. So the meeting in Györ was very important from the point of view of preparation, and of course, after the slap in the previous round from the Norwegians, who won the EC Series with an impeccable performance, the Vamos Petra team also really needed to feel successful. Against an opponent who doesn't have any points yet.
This time, Blanca goalkeeper Budi Biro and kicker Kinga Debreceni Kleveni were left out of the 16-man squad for the match. Before the start, they welcomed starter Rica Bordas and left winger Greta Marton, the former on his 50th anniversary and the latter's 75th national team. It was an unusual sight on the bench for the Austrians, who, like us, are co-managers of this year's European Championships, that it was not legendary coach Herbert Müller who departed after 20 years at the start of the year, but Monique Tegstermann, who had also previously managed the Dutch national team. For ladies.
Zsófi Szemerey started in goal at home, while Viktória Győri-Lukács, Katrin Klujber, Petra Vámos, Petra Füzi-Tóvizi, Csenge Kuczora, Márton attacked in attack – it is very likely that Vlagyimir Golovin will start from this line in the first qualifying battle against Cameroon as well Captain of the national team. It became clear in the first minutes that the level of the Austrians is much lower than that of the Norwegians. After the first quarter of an hour, our team led 10-4 thanks to the achievements of Simiri, who saved eight shots out of 12 (67% efficiency). However, it would be an exaggeration to say that the Hungarian national team played handball with overwhelming fluidity, as the visitors managed to score two goals in the last five minutes. However, they did not come any closer, but the local electrical circuit for ten minutes should still be a warning sign.
Golovin's side started the second half with four quick goals – Gyuri Lukacs and Marton both scored against Austria, and the wingers and goalkeepers can't complain this time either – and then Klugeber and Kochora scored too, so on 35 minutes it was 23-14. The fate of the match and the two points were thus decided, and it seemed that the Hungarian players felt the same on the field: in the last ten minutes, the visitors equalized again after scoring six goals. In addition to poor decisions, solutions and errors, the fact that Kochora's crippled right ankle had to be taken care of was also a cause of irritation on the Hungarian bench.
Hungary proved the paper model was right, with a victory paving the way for the five-round qualifiers, but more success will be needed.
