Dobele “Tenax” celebrated its success in the Baltic handball league on Saturday and was the only Latvian team to win, according to the Latvian Handball Federation (LHF). On Saturday in the Baltic League “Tenax” met with Rāsika “Mistra”, Ludza “Latgols” in Alytus played with the local “Varsa – Stronglasa”, but Ogre in Kaunas played with “Granitas – Karys”. The only victory on Saturday from the Latvian representatives was won by Tenax, which beat Mistra by 31:26 (15:14).
Austris Tuminskis scored nine goals in favor of the winners, Anton Šuleiko added seven, Nils Kreicbergs scored five “goals”, but Oskars Arājs and Nikita Pančenko stood out with three more goals. “The beginning of the game and the first half of the game was very nervous. It was noticeable that we have not had games for some time, there is a lack of gaming experience, ”LHF quotes Sandra Vershakov, the head coach of the Dobele Club. “Too many mistakes and they cost us a light lost goal.”
“Everything changed in the second half, and the game and the result turned to us. We came here to win, we succeeded. It was important to me that we as a team play not only in attack but also in defense. We did a good job and go home in a good mood, ”adds the coach, noting that the team will go to support the volleyball team in the fight against Croatia after the game.
In another game, “Ogre” gave up “Granitas – Karys” with 27:35 (15:16). In the Latvian team Artūrs Lazdiņš was the most productive with eight goals, Aļaksandrs Patcikailikams added six goals, Toms Lielais one less, but Rihards Leja threw three “goals”.
Meanwhile, “Latgols” lost “Varsa – Stronglas” with 23:32 (10:17). Yuri Matvejenko was the most productive player of “Latgols” with seven goals, Roberts Rancāns and Normunds Senankans scored four “goals”, but Eduards Malahovs and Aivars Strazds added three.
“We played the last game in May, unfortunately we didn’t play any friendly games or tournaments in the off-season, it was noticeable on the field. Several players seemed a little dazed by the warm weather, and were repeatedly tricked by the clever and agile Covid-19. Today there were many new players, two of whom did not have a practice in the Latvian handball league. We do not suffer a loss, because there were new players in the team who gained experience, ”reveals” Latgols “co-driver Andrejs Narnickis.
This season, 12 teams will start in the Baltic Handball League. Estonia will have five units – “Tapa”, “Viljandi”, Rāsiku “Mistra”, “Kehra” and Pelva “Serviti”, Lithuania will be represented by Alytus “Varsa – Stronglasa”, Kaunas “Granitas – Karys”, Vilnius “Šviesa” and “Vilnius ”, But Latvia – the previous season Latvian champion Dobele“ Tenax ”,“ Ogre ”and Ludza“ Latgols ”.
The winners of the previous season’s league were Klaipėda’s “Dragunas”, which won the Vilnius “Švieša” in the final. Latvian teams – Dobele “Tenax”, Riga “Celtnieks”, “Ogre” and Ludza “Latgols” – were forced to terminate their participation in the league due to Covid-19 restrictions.
–
