Final: Russia – Norway 21:30 (11:14)
At 17:40 Korean local time the Norwegian dream came
true: For the first time ever Norway has become Women’s Juniors World Champion.
The players climb on top of each other, cheered their songs, spread the
sparkling wine through the Tiger Hall and ran a round of honor with their flag,
as the Russian players had to realize that the European Champion was the clear
better team. After a quite close first half Norway beat Russia in the end with
an absolutely clear distance of nine goals. The Norwegian joy reached their
climax when the World Champions Trophy was handed over by IHF President Dr.
Hassan Moustafa on the podium of Seoul. After winning several titles with the women’s teams Norway now’s
on the junior’s top after winning Silver in 2005. Russia missed their twelfth
ever title in this age category.
Both teams started with high speed, a lot of goals and
on eye-level. But as the Norwegians were stronger in individual actions and
their goalkeepers were clearly better in the beginning, the European Champion
extended the lead to 8:6 in minute 12, when Russia took their time-out very
early. But it didn’t help to find the pace again, in contrast: the number of
mistakes in the Russians attacks arose for several minutes, and Norway punished
every mistake by counter attack goals.
Missing so many chances Russia was clearly below with 8:13 and didn’t
have any ideas to stop this way down. But as their defense stood quite well later
on the record World Champion reduced the gap to three goals at the break – it
could have been even closer, if the Russians didn’t have missed a penalty shot
with the halftime whistle.
The second half became initially a real tough fight of
the two top teams of this WCH. Norway was shaken a bit, but remained in lead,
as their offense players – especially Stine Oftedal – still played highly
efficient. In the defense the Norwegians including strong goalkeeper Guru
Rundbraathen blocked several shots – and Russia had to try very hard to break
through the defense wall. As the
number of technical faults and lost balls arose even more and all changes in
the offense system after another time-out didn’t work the Norwegians could rush away again to a five goal
difference. So the Russians had to go through the defense with “the crowbar”,
as the time was running against them. But by failing very often the chance of
taking the 12th title at Juniors WCH became smaller and smaller.
Norway beat the Russians by their own weapons – the tall, movable and
aggressive defense and individual class and speed in the attacks. When Nora
Moerk scored the 25:18 in minute 52 the Norwegians were highly close to Gold
for the first time. The Russian offense played without system, ideas and too
less pressure so it was easy to defend for Norway. And as the goalkeepers saved
one penalty after the other the Norwegian fans started singing and waving their
flag in Seoul at a quite early moment.
On the other hand the faces of the Russian players
sitting on the bench didn’t lie, as they showed no more faith even five minutes
before the end. Norway went on and on and at the score of 28:19 in minute 57
the players on the bench started their celebrations, before their team extended
the lead to ten impressive goals. And when the final whistle was blown the
party in red, blue and white started.