Great drama in the final moments: BiH handball players eventually defeated Greece in front of a large crowd in Cazin

(Patria) - The handball national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina hosted Greece in Cazin tonight as part of the qualifiers for the 2026 European Championship. With considerable difficulty, but in the end, we deservedly celebrated with a score of 23:22.

In the first match in Iceland, the BiH handball players played quite well, matching the big favorite for 50 minutes, but in the end, Iceland won 32:26.

That defeat, in a way, instilled optimism before this match, of course, due to the good performance. The Greeks proved to be a very tough opponent, but Damir Doborac's team had enough motivation, strength, patience, and of course, quality to achieve an important victory. After all, the excellent support from the stands should also be praised.

The Greeks took the lead first in the match, but then three consecutive goals for the BiH handball players, who soon had a three, then a four-goal lead. It was +4 several times, but the Greeks were a tough nut to crack. At the end of the first half, Greece reduced the deficit to 13:11 with two consecutive goals, and that was the final score.

A good start to the second half, two quick goals, and we led 15:11. However, Greece again found its rhythm, and then an equalizer occurred. In the 40th minute, they reached 17:17.

Of course, it was important not to falter then, and it seemed like we were falling again in the continuation, just like in Iceland. In the 45th minute, the Greeks, for the first time after a long time, or rather since the beginning of the match, took the lead and went up 19:18.

The Greeks were in a situation to lead by two goals, but they fumbled in attack, and in the counter-attack, Mehmedčehajić brought the Dragons an equalizer.

In the dramatic finale of the match in Cazin, every move was very important, and every mistake was very costly. Ahmetšević's good defense followed, another equalizer (20:20), but the drama continued. At the end of the 53rd minute, we took the lead again (21:20), and Panić forced a traveling violation.

On the other side, Panić scored for 22:20, bringing the Dragons closer to victory. Burić saved a clear chance for a Greek player at 22:21 in the 57th minute, but again a poorly executed attack, and we again squandered a good opportunity. The Greeks equalized with only 90 seconds left. We managed to take the lead again (23:22) with a goal from Halilović, and with a minute left, the drama reached its peak.

Greece held onto their attack for a long time in the last minute, and fortunately, we managed to steal the ball from them and finally celebrate a great victory with a score of 23:22.

The next opponent is Georgia, whom we will visit only in March next year. It is clear that we will fight with the Greeks for that second place in the group and qualification for the European Championship.

(sportsport.ba)