It was a game between two former Yugoslavian countries in which, at first, Macedonia seemed to earn a clear victory. But after the 6-1 start, Kiril Lazarov and his team mates started to produce errors. The national team of Bosnia-Herzegovina managed to make use of that. However, Macedonia won the match in the last six minutes.
Bosnia-Herzegovina seemed to be very nervous in the beginning. Several technical faults and turnovers put a spoke in their wheel. In contrast, Macedonia was way more successful in offence. Kiril Lazarov, Filip Mirkulovski and Nikola Markoski brought with their goals a 4-0 lead after seven minutes.
Bosnia-Herzegovina kept struggling up to a team time-out which helped them to get on a better way. Five goals behind at 1-6, the deficit went down to one goal within just four minutes. Now, the Bosnian defense was able to disrupt the Macedonian offence . The game got more interesting at the end of the first 15 minutes.
After a dramatic time, Malinovic managed to tie 6-6 after 18 minutes and Karacic brought the first Bosnian lead shortly after. But Macedonia seemed to be back on the field instantly. Stoilov scored 7-7 and afterwards, Georgievski and Manaskov made use of a superior number situation. Bosnia seemed unable to alter the situation until the 11-13 half-time score.
At the beginning of the second half, Macedonia again managed to establish a small lead. Bosnia-Herzegovina always managed to equalise but seemed unable to get the turnaround of the match. Only once, Senjamin Buric scoring 18-17 after 42 minutes, Bosnia was one goal in front. But throws on the post and missed shots denied them to advance.
Macedonia was the more clever and happy team in the end. After Senjamin Burics 19-20 goal, Manaskov and Kiril Lazarov augmented the lead to 19-22. Once again, the Bosnians fought back with Toromanovic and Malinovic scoring 21-22. But then, a Bosnian team time-out did not come out successful in the last few minutes.
Nikola Prce caused a penalty shot and got an additional 2 minutes five minutes before the final whistle. Kiril Lazarov scored. Afterwards, Old Renato Vugrinec made use of a technical fault by Karacic and a missed throw of Mirsad Terzic. After Georgievski´s 22-25, Bosnia once again received two minutes. Maybe the experience of players like Vugrinec had been decisive in favour of Macedonia.
By Daniel Genings
(Source: handballworld)
