Defeat of Spain by 34-29 at the Sotra Arena in Bergen
MADRID, 4 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish men’s handball team lost this Saturday 34-29 against Denmark in a match corresponding to matchday 2 of the Golden League, played at the Sotra Arena in Bergen (Norway), where goalkeepers Emil Nielsen and Niklas Landin They embittered the ‘Hispanics’ at key moments.
The duel began with both teams calibrating their styles, as the Danes relied on a robust 6-0 defense and fluidity of ideas in attack, thanks to Mikkel Hansen and Mathias Gidsel. His good circulation soon gave him the lead on the scoreboard (6-3), while in Spain a physical problem forced Adrià Figueras to retire.
The first inferiority of the Spanish team, after the exclusion of central defender Agustín Casado, was a setback that increased when the combinative game was not rewarded in the form of goals. The performance of goalkeeper Emil Nielsen, with 11 saves in the first half, was a nightmare for Jordi Ribera’s pupils.
The large amount of resources in the Danish first line, with powerful outside shooting and balls filtered from 6 meters to Lukas Jorgensen, allowed the men coached by Nikolaj Jacobsen to go into the break with a juicy lead of 19-12. Upon returning from the locker room, the defense at 5-1 and even at 4-2 improved Spain’s version and goalkeeper Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas added important saves.
In the opposing goal, Niklas Landin took over from Emil Nielsen and there was a change of trend. Although that spurred the ‘Hispanos’, with Agustín Casado taking the reins of the attack and Jan Gurri contributing goals, Denmark knew how to balance its advantages (26-22, 29-25).
Ribera’s pupils enjoyed a shot in the hands of Chema Márquez to put themselves three goals away, but the comeback was not completed against the current world champion team. This Golden League will conclude for the ‘Hispanics’ this Sunday (4:45 p.m.), with the matchday 3 match against the host Norway.