Norway Pass Sweden To Claim European Title, Bronze For Romania
Norway celebrating fifth European trophy
That Norway won the European tournament didn’t stun anyone, the big surprise coming from the Swedish side after they reached their first European final in history. Norway beat Sweden 25-20 at the Herning Arena, Denmark, in a spectacular Scandinavian thriller to claim their fifth trophy, fourth in the last six years. Following their group defeat to Sweden (19-24), the champions applied almost the same treatment they have been subjected to on Tuesday and despite a very tough first half, in which the title favorites were led 11-10, Norway came from behind to surpass the Swedish thanks to Gullden’s great afternoon. She would score seven points for the Norwegians as nobody else could add more than three.
On the other side, Sweden, who edged Romania 25-23 on Saturday after being led in the last few minutes, proved that reaching the final wasn’t just a simple surprise. They really deserved to be there, especially after finishing top spot in the second death-group which also included France and Hungary. However Norway scored converted four penalties, while Sweden finished with two. The Danish referees would show three two-minute suspensions (Frafjord; Helleberg, Wallter), thing which reflected the tense from the court. For Sweden Hammerseng and Loke scored five goals each, while Harrem added four. Breivang, who was also shown a yellow card and Sulland had three. Nostvold scpored two and Frafjord, Larsen and Mork added one each.
Apart from Gullden’s seven-goal performance, Flongman, Johansson and Tordtensson added three goals each for the Norwegians, while Boson, Islas Helgesson, Wallen and Wiel Freden finished with one goal each. Norway finished second in the group to pass hosts Denmark in the semi final, whom they thwarted 29-19.
Romania 16 – 15 Denmark
Early in the afternoon, Romania got their group-revenge as they beat Denmark 16-15. Last week, the hosts would pass Romania 25-22 as things looked totally different on Sunday. Although they had the first chance to win the bronze medal, Denmark faced lot of trouble in attack. Finally, Romania, which includes a tournament dream-team player, Cristina Neagu, displayed a lot of tenacity after Saturday’s disappointment as Sunday’s tears tasted sweeter than yesterday. Neagu, whom the many commentators consider the best player in the world, scored seven goals for Radu Voina’s side. Stanca Ionela finishd with six, while Nicoleta Nechita and Aurelia Bradeanu scored three goals each. Winger Valentina Elisei had two, and Manea Oana and Adina Fiera finished with one goal each.
As for the Danes, Torstenson Linnea scored nine points, while Jacobsen added four for Per Johansson’s team. Gullden Isabelle had three, Hagman Nathalie and Flognman Kristina and Wiberg Johanna added two, while Islas Therese, Wiel Annika and Helleberg Jessica scored just one point each.
