Thanks to an
improvement in the final stage of the final game on Sunday 8 April Sweden ranks
first at the end of the Olympic Qualification Tournament in Gothenburg. In the
duel of the two teams already qualified for the Olympics in London, they beat
Hungary 26:23. Top scorers in an entertaining match were Gergely Harsanyi with
eight goals for Hungary and Fredrik Petersen with six goals for Sweden.
Sweden vs. Hungary 26:23 (11:12)
As both teams
had already qualified for the 2012 Olympic Games in London before, both coaches
gave a lot of playing time to younger players or those, who had not been on the
court so often in the previous matches. On Hungarian side the two wingers Gergely
Harsanyi and Attila Vadkerti took the opportunity to be in the spotlight.
Scoring four straight goals to 9:5 Vadkerti was the man of the first 20
minutes. His team took the advantage from 2+2 minutes suspension of Magnus
Jernemyr to score three goals. But Sweden had not been shocked, returned and
reduced the gap to 11:12 at the break. On both sides the goalkeepers Andreas
Palicka (Sweden) and Robert Mickler (Hungary) saved well in the first period,
poor of goals.
At the start
of the second half the host equalized for the first time, but could not take
the lead, as Hungary still had the better offensive options in a match with
spectacular goals but also a lot of mistakes on both side – as the pressure had
fallen from both teams already on Saturday (7April). Ten minutes before the end
the result was still equal at 20:20.
Cheered by
their spectators and a brass band the Swedish team took over the control in the
final stage – and it was Matthias Gustafsson, who brought the first lead in
minute 53 at the score of 22:21. When Tobias Aren hit the net with a real
hammer to 24:22 the hall went crazy, but the Hungarians had still not been
shaken off. But with his 13th save 100 seconds for the end
Palicka paved the winner’s way – celebrated by standing ovations on the stands,
and the song “London calling” was played in the Scandinavium. Latest Matthias
Zachrisson decided the game with the 26:23 in the final minute.
Statements
after the match:
Lajos Mocsai,
coach Hungary: “We saw only happy players in this game, which had a high pace
and was on a good level. Both teams had the chance to win, but Sweden was
better in the last ten minutes of a real fair game. This match was the first
day of our preparation for the Olympics.”
Ola Lindgren,
coach Sweden: “I am really satisfied with three victories in three days and the
qualification to London. I agree with Lajos that it was a fair game and both
teams gave opportunities to younger players in this match, which was something
like a friendly game. Both teams are happy with what they have reached.”
Gergely
Harsanyi, player Hungary: “Both teams had achieved their goals, both are
satisfied with the final result of this tournament, both could play very easily
today and both could celebrate together on the field. So see you in London!”
Matthias
Zachrisson, player Sweden: “There’s nothing more to add, I am satisfied with
everything.”
Previous results of this tournament:
Friday:
Hungary vs.
FYR Macedonia 28:26 (15:13)
Sweden vs.
Brazil 25:20 (12:10)
Saturday:
Brazil vs.
Hungary 27:29 (15:16)
FYR Macedonia
vs. Sweden 23:27 (12:14)
Sunday:
Brazil vs. FYR
Macedonia 28:27 (15:13)
Final
ranking:
1. Sweden/6:0
points, 2. Hungary/4:2 points (both qualified for the Olympics), 3. Brazil/2:4
points, 4. FYR Macedonia/0:6 points
Photos taken by Viktor Ljungström