Palicka imperious with Sweden
In the first match of the EHF Euro 2024 main round, Andreas Palicka once again shone for Sweden as they beat Slovenia 22-28. here’s a look back at how our Rouge et Bleus fared on Wednesday.
ANDREAS ON TOP
Sweden are continuing their perfect record at the current Euros! After dominating Bosnia-Herzegovina (29-20), Georgia (26-42) and Luc Steins' Netherlands (29-28) in the preliminary round, the reigning European champions continued their title defence with a 22-28 win over Slovenia on Wednesday. The victory was largely due to the efficiency of Andreas Palicka, who made 14 saves at a 64% success rate, notably with an exceptional save from an attempted kung-fu. With 83 saves in three games (he was rested against Georgia), Andreas is third on the competition’s saves chart, but our goalkeeper is the most effective in the competition, with a 43% success rate.
With this success, Sweden move up to second place in Group 2, level on points with their Danish neighbours, whom they face in a headline clash on Friday.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
LUC AND THE NETHERLANDS VALIANT IN DEFEAT
The Netherlands continue to impress. Faced with the three-time reigning world champions, the Dutch held out for almost 40 minutes before succumbing (39-27). Managing to get back into the game despite going three or more goals down on several occasions, Luc Steins and his team can hold their heads high. After conceding seven unanswered goals just before the final quarter, it was a bridge too far forthe Dutch in money-time. Despite the defeat, the Dutch were true to form, putting in another remarkable team performance, with a superb kung-fu served up by Luc at the start of the second half.
With this defeat, the Netherlands find themselves in last place in Group 2. Just two points behind third-placed Portugal, they will have to pick themselves up again on Friday in a decisive match against Norway, who are also on zero points in this main round.
TONNESEN'S NORWAY BREAK DOWN AGAIN
Euro 2024 has been full of surprises, and Norway is one of them. Despite being considered dark horses for the title, the Scandinavians have turned in three poor performances in a row. After a draw at the buzzer against the Faroe Islands (26-26) and a narrow defeat by Slovenia (27-28), the Norwegians once again came up short against Portugal (32-37). Kent Robin Tonnesen, brought in to replace the injured Magnus Rod, was only given a limited amount of playing time and was unable to make the difference.
Although qualification for the semi-finals already looks relatively unlikely, Jonas Wille's men will have to beat Luc Steins' Netherlands on Friday in a match in which the loser will be officially eliminated from the race for the Final4.
(Credits: EHF Euro)