Polish handball players won against Slovakia 33:25 (15:12) in Topolczany in a rematch of the World Championship play-off qualifying round. The Polish national team, which previously lost at home 28:29, advanced to the final of the tournament.

Compared to the first match, there were three changes to Marcin Lijewski’s team. This goal was strengthened by Marcel Jastrzębski who has played in the Champions League, the left wing by Jan Czuwara, and the defense by Antoni Doniecki. Michał Daszek’s bruised thigh turned out to be such a serious injury that the left-hander was also unable to help the coach in the rematch with Slovakia.

Sunday’s game for Arkadiusz Moryta was unique. The national team captain played his 100th match in the national uniform. Maciej Gębala celebrated a similar birthday on Thursday at ERGO Arena. Moryto, despite having shoulder problems, decided to play.

The start of the match was very even. Both teams took turns scoring goal after goal. After Erik Fenar’s goal, the hosts took a 5-3 lead. Losses can quickly be recovered. After a counterattack by Jan Czuwara, who returned to the team after a year’s absence, the Polish national team regained the lead. In the next action, the left winger deceived goalkeeper Igor Czupryna with a screw, and in the next action he secured a 10:7 lead.

Slovakia paid a lot of attention defensively to Kamil Syprzak (11 goals in the first game). This gives more freedom to the line players.

Jastrzębski performed well in goal and also defended in one-on-one situations. Poland also scored when they were short of men. Syprzak scored under the crossbar for the first time of the match, and before the break he also converted three penalty kicks.

Just after changing sides, Simom Machac received a red card for a foul on Moryt who broke into the penalty area. Czuwara continued to play with a high percentage of effectiveness by scoring seven goals. At that time, the Polish national team was leading 19:14. Moryta’s double action, then Maciej Papina and Syprzak, enriched the visitors’ score. Jakub Skrzyniarz got the opportunity to play in goal. Doniecki debuted in national colors.

Tomas Smetanka tried to encourage the hosts to fight with his goal. All this was too little for Poland, who played well and maintained a 5-7 goal lead.

In the final minutes, Slovakia started to defend from the midfield. The fate of the competition had already been decided. Ariel Pietrasik secured promotion, the eighteenth in the Polish team’s history, with a long throw into an empty net.

The final group draw for the World Championship is scheduled for the end of May.

Next year’s World Cup will be held in Croatia, Denmark and Norway from January 14 to February 2.

olnk/PAP