Handball World Cup: Norway teaches Austria a lesson

Nevertheless, the World Cup is not over for Ales Pajovic’s team. From Wednesday the President’s Cup (all games live on ORF Sport +) of the last group will continue. Austria’s opponents in the battle for places 25 to 32 are South Korea, Morocco and Chile. The latest memories of the South Americans are not good: At the 2019 World Cup, the ÖHB selection conceded a bitter 24:32. After these three games there is a final placement game.

For Austria there was nothing to gain against the Norwegians, who were superior in all respects. Although they did not have the best line-up at the beginning, the Scandinavians demonstrated over long stretches what world-class handball looks like and played an educational game against Austria.

Every mistake is punished

Concentrated and calm demeanor in defense, always high speed in attack and precision in the passing game paired with enormous throwing security in front of the goal made the game of the Norwegians. Sander Sagosen and Co. also punished every mistake by the Austrians in the build-up game.

Norway, which did without its superstar Sander Sagosen in the first few minutes, took off with a 4-0 run from 2-2 to 6-2 (7th) and seemed to hurry early. But Austria worked their way back to 6: 8 by the 13th minute. At times, Lukas Hutecek and Co. were playfully disciplined and varied. The Austrians also missed some good opportunities.

Kaiper keeps Austria in the game at the beginning

West Vienna goalkeeper Florian Kaiper, who replaced the veteran Thomas Bauer, kept the deficit in the first half with minus three goals within limits with good saves. In the first half alone, Kaiper parried eight shots – mostly free from six meters.

After the restart, Norway ignited the turbo, pulled away to 30:21 by the 41st minute and had finally won the game. In the further course, almost the entire squad received minutes, and goalkeeper Thomas Eichberger was able to excel in goal several times. But nothing changed in the respectful distance.

Between disappointment and realism

Germany legionnaire Robert Weber fluctuated after the game in his match analysis between disappointment and realism: “We went into the game with a spark of hope that it turned out so clearly, it hurts me personally. But the amount of defeat is also well deserved. It’s just a world class troop, it takes a little more to stop them “,

“The Norwegians are known for playing with a lot of speed and punishing any mistake. The 38 goals we conceded prove that. When Sagosen came in, we let him into our game. You can’t let such a great man be thrown from any distance. We may have missed the experience at the front, but respect for this young team, ”said Weber, who scored over 800 goals in the ÖHB team.

Focus on President’s Cup

He mourned the possible chance of promotion after the weak game against Switzerland, who stood in for the USA, which was plagued by Covid 19 cases, at short notice. “We screwed up in the first game against Switzerland that it would be difficult against France and Norway, it was clear. Now we want to leave the tournament with a good impression, ”said the winger.

ÖHB team boss Pajovic was “satisfied with heart and character” despite the clear defeat. It was like against France. But these are both teams that will play for the medals, ”explained the Slovenian. “We have to continue in the President’s Cup.”

Men’s Handball World Championship in Egypt, third matchday

Monday:

Austria – Norway 29:38 (17:20)

Kairo

Throwers Austria: Wagner, Weber 6 each, Hutecek 4, Frimmel 3, Ranftl, Herburger, Stevanovic, Jochmann 2 each, M. Hermann, Juric 1 each

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