Friday, 29. January 2010
Semi final 1: France makes it to the final
credit: Silvio Ferrari
It took four minutes until Iceland managed to score the first goal in this semi-final, because both teams had started working hard on the defence. But then the game went rolling, brilliant goals out of the back court (e.g. number 4 11:12)
The French took a short lead but Iceland managed to equalize five minutes before the end of half one due to a wonderful goal by Pálmarsson (12:12) and even to lead a few seconds later (13:12). Number 13, Karabatic equalized again, made it a plus one lead (13:14), a plus two lead again (13:15) and finally even managed to score a plus three lead (13:16). The first half ended up 14:16 for France. Iceland’s goalkeeper Gustavsson took high risk taking a fast break pass to Gudjonsson who scored an easy goal and kept Iceland in the game. 16:18
Seven minutes after starting second half the French led by six. Most of all because Karabaic had not missed a shot till than. He had scored eight goals out of eight shots till then. (17:23) Three minutes later France already had an eight-goal lead on the scoreboard.
But Iceland still tried really hard to catch up and due to a penalty by Gudjonsson (23:28) they shortened the French lead to five goals.But still France scored the more spectacular goals, as for example a fast break score by Luc Abalo, (23:31), who then tried another two of those fascinating lobs, but missed he missed, forced by Icland Goalie Gustavsson. On the other side Iceland fought till the very end, and scored another fast break by Sigurdsson (24:31).Still the winner France had the honour to score the last goal in the game, finishing with a 28:36.
Gudmundur Gudmundsson (coach of Iceland) “When I look at the game I’m a bit disappointed with the first half. At this moment we gave France the ball and they shot the goals. The second half began very well but it was a very difficult match and in the end it is a fair result.”
Asgeir Örn Hallgrimsson (player of Iceland, number 6) “France was really strong but we didn’t make it very hard for them either. We had big difficulties in the secound half.”
Snorri Steinn Gudjonsson (player of Iceland, number 10) “About tomorrow I have to say that Poland and Croatia are both great teams, it will be difficult to fight against both of them but we want the bronze medal, so we will fight for it.”
Claude Onesta (coach of France) “It was a very good match- the best of all I guess, we knew that it would be hard to fight against a team like Iceland. We had the chances to get some balls back and had some counter attacks.”
Guillaume Joli (player of France, number 9) “We concentrated on the defence because we knew that this is difficult for Iceland. Now we are very happy to be in the final.”
Franck Junillon (player of France, number 15) “We are confident with this victory because we knew it would be hard, but we were defending very good, had good counter attacks. We are very confident to be in the finals- but now it is hard to fight againt.”
