Tuesday, 19. January 2010
Linz: Denmark beats Austria 33:29
Great start! Austria fought and forced the European champion
Magic Moments – so the motto of the 9th EHF Handball- European championships is called. And exactly this moments had the Austrian team versus Denmark at the 29:33 loss at the first game in the Linz Tips Arena. Therefore they got an awesome applause and standing ovations from the crowd which sang together with DJ Ötzi the officially EURO- anthem “Sweet Caroline” in the pause.
Against the European champion Austria leaded by 4:2 after 7 minutes. Then the TIPS Arena burned, when local hero Fölser scored – 5:3 (8.). But then Austria produced some technical errors so Denmark, came with scorer Lars Christiansen to a 8:6 lead (15.). The highlight followed : Austrians Wagesreiter scored wearing the goalkeeper dress short- handed and surprised all Danish players. Later the last draw in the match: Schlingers counterblast fixed the 12:12 but finally Denmark won the first halftime by 17:15.
After the break Dagur Sigurdsson’s Austria team fought hard and approached from 18:21 to 20:21 but the pre-decision followed after 42 minutes – 24:20.
Dagur Sigurdsson (Austrian Coach): “It was an important match for both teams. Before the match we were very nervous. I am quite happy with the performance of my team. We tried to control the match, our attacks were quite good. But now we have to concentrate on our next game against Iceland.”
Konrad Wilczynski (Austria, FP): "I am a little bit disappointed, because we had a good chance to make a draw. Because in the second half the atmosphere was also very good. Now I think we have good chances in the matches against Serbia and Iceland.”
Ulrik Wilbek (Danish Coach): "Austria had improved and played very quick. They surprised us with the trick with the goalkeeper. Beside that, our offense was quite good.”
Torsten Laen (Denmark, FP): "Congratulations to Austria, it was a good match. We are satisfied with the performance and looking forward to the next matches.”
Austria – Denmark 29:33 (15:17). Ziura 7, Weber 6, Fölser 5, Szilagyi 4, Schlinger 4, Hojc 2, Abadir; Mongensen 7, Hansen 5, Söndergaard 4, M. Knudsen 4, Christiansen 4, Eggert 3, Svan Hanssen 2, Nilsen, Lindberg, H. Knudsen, Laen.
