Latvia recognized the superiority of the Italians in the visitors with a score of 23:36 (10:15).
The home team got off to a better start, gaining a two-three goal advantage (2:0, 4:1). The Latvians managed to restore the tie for the first time after the start of the game in the 20th minute, when Guntis Pilpuks made it 7:7, to which the Italians responded with three goals in a row (10:7).
Later, the hosts gradually increased their advantage (12:8 and 15:10), ending the half with the biggest advantage in the first half. Also in the second half, the hosts continued to increase their superiority, ending the match with a convincing 13-goal advantage.
Ralfs Geisler was the top scorer in the Latvian national team with six goals, while Ričards Juzups, Māris Veršakovs and Pilpuks collected three goals each.
Pabo Miguel Maroki scored six goals for the hosts, while Leo Prantner added five.
In the subgroup, the first place is occupied by France, which has won three games and got six points, Poland is second with four points, Italy has won two points, and Latvia has remained without points.
On March 12, Latvia will play again against the Italians at home.
In the first two qualifying matches of the European Championship held in October, Latvia lost 18:35 away to the Olympic champion France and lost to Poland 19:37 at home. On the other hand, the Italian handball players lost to the French with 29:40 and recognized the superiority of Poland with 23:30.
The head coach of the team, Davor Čuturas, is assisted by Alvaro Senovilla Estevans and Arnold Straume.
The two best teams and the four best third place winners of each subgroup will qualify for the final tournament of the European Championship.
The 2024 European Championship will take place in Germany from January 12 to 28.
Latvian men’s handball team:
goalkeepers – Edgars Kukša (“Aurich”, Germany), Rolands Lebedevs (“Hordur”, Iceland);
left side – Richard Juzup, (Dobeles “Tenax”), Kristiāns Ingus Jonuška (“ASK Zemessardze”/LSPA);
right side – Linards Usāns (Dobeles “Tenax”), Andis Bors (MSG);
line players – Antons Šuleiko (Dobeles “Tenax”), Yevgenijs Rogonovs (MSG), Artūrs Meikšans (Pelvas “Serviti”, Estonia);
left outer – Ralfs Geisler (“Lippe II”, Germany), Roberts Rancāns (“ASK Zemessardze”/LSPA);
match managers – Māris Veršakovs (Brixen, Italy), Rauls Erlends Serafimovićs (MSG), Kristers Rihards Ozols (ASK Zemessardze/LSPA);
good outsiders – Guntis Piļpuks (“Hordur”, Iceland), Valdis Kalniņš (MSĂ).