The first event of the women’s
2018/19 Golden League was recently held in Denmark, with the usual trio of
Denmark, Norway and France joined by invited side Poland. It was a tournament of
surprises, as each team met the other three opponents with some unexpected
results.
Though Norway topped the table after
the round-robin competition, thanks to two wins and one draw, it was Poland who
stole the show. Poland have had a disappointing few years since making it to
the 2015 World Championship semi-finals, having contested the President’s Cup
(for 17th place) at the 2017 World Championship – a clear drop in ranking in
just two years. However, over the tournament, Poland showed they are making
their way through their transition to reach the other side, as they defeated
none other than current world champions France and also EHF EURO 2016
semi-finalists Denmark.
Poland’s victory over France came
on the final day of competition and saw them turn a 9:10 half-time deficit into
a 22:16 victory, with all credit to their outstanding defensive game. Prior to
the match against France, Poland defeated Denmark 23:21 (12:14) and lost to
Norway 27:34 (14:17). Poland finished second on the table courtesy of their two
wins.
Competition winners Norway
followed their opening victory against Poland with a tough 22:22 (14:9) draw versus
France.
“We started a bit like against
Poland. We got too far down and France came too easily into the match. We
got a little stressed. It was getting better at the end, but we have to
put the ball in the goal,” said Norway coach Thorir Hergeirsson after the game,
which was a rematch of the 2017 World Championship final won by France.
In their last game, Norway beat
Denmark 25:20 (14:12), who placed third thanks to their 24:21 (14:9) win versus
France.
The next Golden League
competition will be the Møbelringen Cup held in Telenor Arena, Norway on
November 22-25. The Cup will be the participants’ last test prior to the EHF
EURO 2018 in France. Along with regular participants Norway, France and
Denmark, it will be Hungary who joins the four-nation tournament.
Photo: DHF/Jan Christensen