Friendly Match: BiH Defeats Saudi Arabia

By Ismir Ćosić

The handball team of Bosnia and Herzegovina defeated Saudi Arabia 28:22 in a friendly match played in Belgrade.

In a very combative and dynamic match full of fierce duels and beautiful plays, especially from the team of BiH coach Bilal Šuman, our team controlled the score from the first minute and maintained winning tension from the beginning to the end of the match.

Right from the start, our players let the Saudis know we were the better opponent. After an initial 2:2, we made a 5:0 run and, on the wings of a strong, good defense, excellent Benjamin Burić in goal, and efficient Vranješ, Vražalić, and Nuić, we reached 7:2 in the 12th minute.

The tension in our game did not subside until the end of the first half, which we finished with a 14:8 lead.

In the second half, the picture was identical; admittedly, the Saudis managed to reduce the deficit to four goals, but they could not threaten our lead.

Benjamin Burić was excellent with 15 saves, including four from penalties. In the second half, Efendić got a chance and used it excellently, saving two penalties. Marin Vegar was once again the most effective with 6 goals, followed by Senjamin Burić with 5.

The general assessment is that everyone who got a chance justified the trust, and this was the first victory for Bilal Šuman on the BiH bench against a team that will compete in the World Championship in France in less than seven days.

BiH – S. Arabia 28:22

Košutnjak Hall. Referees: Marko Boričić and Dejan Marković (Serbia). 7-meter throws: BiH 3(2), S. Arabia 10 (3). Suspensions: BiH 14, S. Arabia 14 minutes. Red card: Vranješ (BiH) – three suspensions. Score: BiH – S. Arabia 28:22 (14:8).

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: B. Burić (15 saves, 4 penalties), Serdarević, Efendić (5 saves, 2 penalties), Ovčina 3, Nuić 3, Terzić 1, Vegar 6, Čelica, Lončar, Tarabochia 3 (2), Marjanac, Karačić, Pavlak 1, Malinović, Vražalić 3, Jarak, Zulfić, S. Burić 5, Vranješ 3, Prce, Toromanović. Coach: Bilal Šuman.

SAUDI ARABIA: Al Saeed (11 saves), Al Salem, Almontury, Abu Alrahi 2. Al Abass, Alabdulali, Aziz Rada 5, Aljanabi 2, Alabas, Alfarhan, Almohasen, Al Salem 5, Al Obaidi 1, Al Hamad, Alhannabi, Almaa, Alzaer. Al Safar. Coach: Nenad Kljaić.