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Cheering Spanish players as they beat world champions Denmark
Photo: Sanjin Strukic/PIXSELL / imago images/Pixsell
Defending champion Spain and World Cup runner-up Sweden are in the final of the European Handball Championship.
The champion of 2018 and 2020 defeated world champion Denmark in the semifinals on Friday with 29:25 (13:14).
The four-time European champion from Sweden then prevailed against Olympic champion France with 34:33 (17:14), also in Budapest.
The final will take place next Sunday at 6 p.m.
The best Spanish thrower in front of 7286 spectators in the MVM Dome in Budapest was right winger Aleix Gómez Abelló with eleven goals.
In addition, goalkeeper Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas showed an outstanding performance and caused the Danish stars around striker Mikkel Hansen (8 goals) to despair, especially in the final phase.
»We are the best team«
“That was a victory against a world power.
It's unbelievable what this team is doing," said Spain's captain Gedeón Guardiola from TBV Lemgo: "It was a show of emotions.
I'm incredibly proud.
We may not be the best team, but we are the best team.«
Denmark, who have been waiting for a European Championship title since 2012, had already led by four goals in the first half before the Spaniards took command of the second half and finally reached their fourth European Championship final, which they deservedly.
“Spain were just better today, especially in the second half.
No matter what we tried, they always had the better solution," said Danish right winger Lasse Svan from SG-Flensburg-Handewitt.
Denmark lacked precision
“Winning a medal is what we're here for, and as always, we want to go all the way now.
There is no doubt about it, «Danish coach Nicolaj Jacobsen announced before the repeat of the Olympic semifinals.
This will was clearly evident in both teams right from the start.
But at first there was a lack of precision.
Technical deficiencies alternated with sometimes hair-raising bad passes and a few misses.
The Danes benefited from this in the first half.
At the back, the Kiel goalkeeper Niklas Landin saved one shot after the other and at the front, backcourt ace Hansen was particularly accurate.
When young star Mathias Gidsel netted to make it 8: 4 after 18 minutes, things seemed to be going according to plan for the 2019 and 2021 world champion.
Norway in fifth place
But Spain stayed cool and stayed in the game thanks to saves from keeper Pérez de Vargas.
By the break, the deficit was down to one goal.
When coach Jordi Ribera's team took the lead for the first time at 17:16, fate took its course for the Danes.
Spain continued to extend their lead and let nothing burn out.
Norway won the match for fifth place against Iceland 34:33 (27:27, 16:12) after extra time.
The 2020 European Championship third secured a direct ticket for the 2023 World Cup in Sweden and Poland, for which the two hosts, defending champions Denmark as well as France and Spain, have already qualified.
col/sid/dpa
