Bosnia and Herzegovina handball players put on a great performance against Spain, but regret not securing a win

(Patria) - The handball national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina played its last match at the European Championship in Slovakia tonight and delivered its best performance by far, but it wasn't enough as Spain eventually celebrated with a score of 28:24.

After numerous problems due to coronavirus, the Dragons had to play their group stage matches decimated. While they faltered in the duels with Sweden and the Czech Republic, suffering heavy defeats, it was a different story against the favored Spain in the third round.

The unburdened players coached by Ivica Obrvan finally shone, and the three-time European champion struggled to cope, only managing to turn things around in their favor at the very end.

We opened the match with a goal, but then there was no black hole and a run by the Spaniards, but on the contrary, we largely controlled the situation on the court. The teams exchanged leads for a while, and our guys had opportunities for a three-goal lead twice.

The Spaniards managed to come back, equalize at 12:12, and then Karačić scored for our new lead, and in the last second before halftime, Herceg scored with a long-range shot for 14:12.

It was a memorable halftime, but there were still thirty minutes left to play against a handball powerhouse like Spain.

With Karačić's goal in the 33rd minute, we took a three-goal lead for the first time, but unfortunately, we allowed Spain to come back. In the 38th minute, it was 17:16, but soon after, Herceg scored for another two-goal lead. It was clear that a fierce finale awaited us in Bratislava.

The Spaniards had a great chance to equalize, but Burić saved a clear chance, and on the other side, Vranješ scored for 19:17, and soon after, Herceg scored with a great shot for another three-goal lead.

And when it seemed like we were breaking Spain, we faltered, made several mistakes in attack, and allowed the opponent to make a complete comeback with fifteen minutes left (20:20).

The rest of the match was very uncertain, the Spaniards missed some clear counter-attacks, but in the 52nd minute, they took a two-goal lead (24:22), and soon after, with a penalty, they extended it to three, and there was no more hope for our handball players.

The most effective player for our team was Karačić with six goals, while Herceg and Perić scored four each, and Prce scored three, which was also his last match in the BiH jersey. Burić and Dragnić scored two each. Burić made 10 saves and was named player of the match. For Spain, Casado scored seven goals, Marquez four, and Figueras and Odriozola three each.

(sportsport.ba)