Norway's progress in EC handball – clinging to slim hopes
In the third important match of the main round, Norway's men's handball victory was finally achieved with a score of 35-32 over the Netherlands.
– It's an amazing feeling. We should be proud of that, because it has burned around us quite a bit. It's not fun standing in it, star player Sander Sagosen told NRK.
Jonas Wille's team was trailing 16-18 at the break, but came back to win with a good second half.
Goalkeeper Kristian Sæverås was voted the best on the pitch, including for nearly six minutes without dropping out shortly after the break.
– It's difficult for the team and me. Gaining confidence and taking it further into the championship is great. We have had difficult times in the last few days, Sæverås told NRK.
Norway thus has two points in the main draw, where the group consists of six teams. Only the best two advance to the semifinals.
Denmark, Sweden and Portugal top the group with four points. Norway, like Norway, has two games remaining, while Denmark and Sweden – who will meet on Friday evening – have three remaining.
For Norway to advance to the semifinals, they depend on wins against Denmark and Sweden, while at the same time a maximum of one other team in the group can get more than six points.
– It will be a very difficult task to beat Denmark, but this is handball and anything is possible, said Sagosen.
If two or more teams get the same number of points, then the joint result applies.
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