Sunday, 31. January 2010
BRONZE for Iceland: 29:26 victory vs. Poland
credit: Silvio Ferrari
The game Poland versus Iceland was supposed to be a very tough and thrilling match. The fans of both sides have been well prepared. Despite the fact that it was Poland who scored first (Tluczynski, second minute) the Polish fans kept very quiet, because of the quick plus three lead of Iceland (Gunnarsson, ingimundarson and Sigurdsson, who scored twice).
Iceland managed to keep this lead but of course Poland also wanted to get the bronze medal so they tried everything to fight back. Poland’s number 22, Lijewski managed to score a wonderful goal in minute 15 but at that time Iceland already led by 4:8. Iceland’s Gudjón Valur Sigurdsson played a decisive role as he scored seven goals in the first half 1:3, 1:4, 2:6, 3:8, 5:10, 8:14, and also the last goal of the second half. (10:18)
In the beginning of the second half, Poland managed to catch up until minus two (18:20) due to some wonderful saves by the Polish goalkeeper Szmal. During this part of the game Iceland didn’t score more often than twice in 12 minutes.. When Poland caught up six goals in six minutes to minus two (18:20) the goalkeeper Gudmundsson saved five important shots and Iceland found its way back into the game. Iceland scored again and slowed down the game. There was hope for Poland but finally Iceland won 26:29.
Bogdan Wenta (coach Poland) “First of all I want to congratulate team Iceland. The have been the better team although we played very good for thirty minutes –Iceland played good for sixty minutes.”
Slawomir Szmal (goalkeeper Poland, number 1) “We did not play very aggressive in the first half. Iceland had a very good goalkeeper and we did not score the simple goals. It was the other way around in the second half –we have been the better team and scored some counter attacks.”
Piotr Wyszomirski (player Poland, number 16) “We lost in the first half and we could fight back and catch up a bit in the second half. But I hope that we can show what we are able to do in the next tournament.”
Gudmundur Gudmundsson (coach Iceland) “I want to thank Poland for the spectacular game. After the game against Denmark it was a complete different tournament for us. We are very proud to win the bronze medal and to be successful in two tournaments in a row. We are very happy and our players did a fantastic job.”
Olafur Stefansson (player Iceland, number 11) “I would like to congratulate Szmal for the amazing second half- he has been like a wall and made us very insecure. We made our ground stone in the first half because of our compact defence and great counter attacks.”
Gudjón Valur Sigurdsson (player Iceland, number 9) “We are very happy to win this game but I had five shots, that did not go in –Szmal was fantastic. I am happy that we came back after the defeat yesterday and now my feelings are very good.”
