European Handball Championship
Austria’s handball players also win in the main round of the European Championship
Austria’s goalkeeper Constantin Möstl cheers. photo
© Tom Weller/dpa
Austria continues to cause a sensation at the European Handball Championships. Title contender France also wins at the start of the second phase of the tournament.
“It’s unbelievable,” said national coach Ales Pajovic about the surprising success in Cologne. The Austrians are opponents of the German team on Saturday. “We have already exceeded all expectations and hope to be able to continue riding this wave,” said long-time Bundesliga professional Robert Weber. Hungary has 2:2 points after its first tournament defeat.
Olympic champion France continues to head towards the semi-finals. The record world champion, who defeated the DHB selection in the preliminary round, narrowly prevailed in a dramatic game against Croatia with 34:32 (18:18) and leads the group with 4:0 points.
From the start, a duel between Austria and Hungary developed as equals, in which neither team was able to gain a decisive advantage. Shortly before the end, Bilyk made the decision with his eighth goal. In addition to the backcourt player from German record champions THW Kiel, Lukas Hutecek from TBV Lemgo Lippe and right winger Weber also proved to be accurate with six goals each.