Slovenia’s women’s handball team kept their hopes alive in the EHF EURO tournament with a commanding 37:24 victory over Slovakia. This win not only marked Slovenia’s largest margin of victory in EHF EURO history but also eliminated co-hosts Austria from contention, showcasing Slovenia’s strength and determination as they head into the main round.
Key Takeaways
- Slovenia achieved their biggest-ever win at EHF EURO tournaments, surpassing their previous record of 36:26 against Serbia and Montenegro in 2004.
- The victory secured Norway’s position as group winners, having defeated both Slovenia and Austria.
- Slovenia’s goalkeeper Maja Vojnovic played a crucial role with key saves, while Tjaša Stanko was named Player of the Match for her outstanding performance.
Match Overview
The match against Slovakia began slowly, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm. However, Slovenia quickly gained momentum, thanks to the impressive saves from goalkeeper Maja Vojnovic and a series of goals from Tjaša Stanko. By the end of the first half, Slovenia had established an 18:10 lead.
- First Half Highlights:
- Slovenia led 6:2 early in the match.
- The Slovak team struggled with efficiency, allowing Slovenia to dominate.
- At halftime, Slovenia was comfortably ahead by eight goals.
In the second half, Slovenia maintained their lead, with the gap widening to ten goals at 22:12. The Slovak team, despite a strong performance from their top scorer Tatiana Šutranová, who netted 11 goals, could not keep pace with Slovenia’s powerful attack.
Slovenia’s Key Players
Several players stood out during the match, contributing significantly to Slovenia’s success:
- Tjaša Stanko: Scored multiple goals and was named Player of the Match.
- Maja Vojnovic: Made crucial saves that helped secure the lead.
- Ana Abina, Nataša Ljepoja, Nusa Fegic: Combined for a total of 28 goals, showcasing Slovenia’s offensive strength.
Implications of the Win
This victory not only keeps Slovenia’s hopes alive in the tournament but also has significant implications for the other teams in the group. With Austria’s loss to Slovenia, they have been knocked out of the competition, while Slovenia prepares for a crucial match against Austria in the main round.
- Upcoming Matches:
- Slovenia will face Austria, where they will aim to build on their momentum.
- Slovakia, having been eliminated, will play against defending champions Norway in their final match.
Conclusion
Slovenia’s impressive performance against Slovakia has revitalized their EHF EURO campaign, demonstrating their potential as serious contenders in the tournament. With a blend of strong defense and a potent offense, Slovenia is poised to make a significant impact as they advance to the next stage of the competition.
Sources
- Big win over Slovakia keeps Slovenia’s EHF EURO main round hopes alive, EHF Champions League.
- Slovenian win knocks co-hosts Austria out of EHF EURO, EHF EURO.
- Slovenia Secures EuroBasket Spot with Narrow Victory Over Portugal – footboom1.com, FootBoom.
- Kosovo is also defeated by Slovenia – Telegrafi – Telegrafi, Telegrafi.
