Denmark Edges Out Slovenia in Thriller Handball Match
Midway through the first period, Denmark appeared to be in control of the Olympic handball championship semi-final against Slovenia, leading by six goals after the break. However, the Balkan side fought back valiantly and even had a chance to equalize in the final attack. But this opportunity was squandered, and Denmark ultimately stormed into the final with a score of 31:30, where Germany awaits.
In the opening minutes, the defenders dominated the game. Klemen Ferlin and Emil Nielsen traded chances to keep some of the game’s best scoring opportunities. It wasn’t until the 8:23 mark that Aleks Vlah finally broke through Nielsen’s defense with a shot from seven meters (1:3, 9th).
Both teams attempted to control the pace of the semi-final, engaging in long attacks at times. Denmark, in particular, forced the Slovenians to recycle the ball repeatedly. The Danish half-backs often pressured the Slovenians early on, leaving them with little space to operate.
In the 14th minute, Ferlin scored from seven meters off a pass from Mikkel Hansen. On the other hand, Nielsen was penalized against Dean Bombac. Ferlin then capitalized on a mistake by Emil Jakobsen to give Denmark a 4-goal advantage. The goalkeeper’s performance was impressive in the first quarter.
Denmark Regains Control
Slovenia struggled to adjust to Denmark’s speed after the initial burst. Aleks Vlah made a costly turnover, and Mathias Gidsel capitalized on the opportunity (8:6, 21st). Denmark continued to extend their lead, and after the first half, they led by 10 goals.
Slovenia showed glimpses of their attacking prowess in the second half, but they were unable to find a consistent rhythm. Jure Dolenec scored a goal in the 63rd minute, but Denmark responded with a 3-goal run to restore their advantage. Slovenia’s offensive struggles continued, and they eventually ran out of time.
Close Finish
The final minutes of the game were nail-biting. Slovenia managed to pull within three goals, but their attempts to force the equalizer were thwarted by Denmark’s defense. The game ended with a controversial free throw awarded to Slovenia, but the referees upheld their decision after reviewing the video evidence.
Final score: Denmark 31 – Slovenia 30.
Players of the Match:
- Denmark: Mikkel Hansen
- Slovenia: Klemen Ferlin
Statistics:
- Penalty minutes: 6/2
- Seven meters: 4/5; 5/7
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