Are we going to witness one of the biggest earthquakes of the European Handball Championship? While it had produced a high-flying second period after having been disillusioned in the first, Sweden ended up being joined by the French team and by a cannon shot from Elohim Prandi at the last second of regulation time. Enough to offer the equalizer and the extension to Guillaume Gille’s gang. Everyone knows what happens next with an almost one-sided additional ten minutes (34-30).
However, this goal would not go down well with Andreas Palicka’s teammates. After the match, the EHF (European Handball Federation) announced that the Swedish Federation had filed an appeal to have the Parisian right-back’s goal annulled. A foot fault by the latter would be at the origin of the discord. The native of Istres would not have had both feet on the ground at the time of the shot. This is what the Scandinavian body is trying to highlight.
Compliant with IHF Laws of the Game?
The situation is difficult to read at first glance. The IHF laws of the game and rule 15 could nevertheless prove the Habs right. “Before the execution of the throw, the thrower must stand in the regular position imposed by the throw. The ball must be in the hand of the thrower (15:6). During the execution, except in the case of a return (12:2) and throw from the faceoff zone (10:3b), the thrower must have part of the foot in constant contact with the ground until the ball is released (10:3b ).The other foot may be lifted and lowered several times (rule 7:6).” It is therefore the dropping of the ball which raises questions on the Swedish side.
The EHF explains that discussions have been initiated and an investigation has been opened to study the situation. The (definitive) winner of this duel between France and Sweden will face Denmark, easy winner of Germany in the other meeting (29-26), in the final. The complaint is unlikely to succeed, but the Blues have no reason to sleep peacefully for the moment. The outcome of the case should be known on Saturday noon.