Victory in both games for Beachgutta

The EC’s first day ended with one win and one loss for Beachgutta. On Thursday, it was ready for the last match in the preliminary round, where group leader Croatia stood on the opposite half of the court.

The Croatians were ahead by four early in the half, but a good Norwegian defense ensured that Norway took the lead in the last half. Simen Westby Johansen saved the Croats’ last chance, thus it was Norway who won the first half with two points. The score was 18-20.

The teams followed each other closely in the second half as well. Westby delivered solid goalkeeping and Norway took a four-point lead with a couple of minutes left in the second half. Norway held on and won the second round 25-22. Norway won the match 2-0, and Christian Daviknes became Norway’s top scorer with 19 points.

Norway were group winners with two wins and one loss in the group stage.

After the victory against Croatia, Norway won the group, and played the first match in the main round against Hungary later in the day.

Hungary took the lead and built up a six-point lead at the start of the first half, before Norway scored eight points in a row to take over the lead. With seconds left on the clock, Hungary took the lead and won the first half 22-20.

Norway also came out a little crooked in the second half. When Hungary extended their lead to six points with two minutes remaining, things looked difficult for the Beachguttas. Westby held out with two big saves and Norway leveled the score with four seconds left on the clock. The half was thus to be decided with a golden goal, with Norway securing a shootout. The Beachguttas won the shootout 6-4 and could cheer for victory after a solid comeback.

Norway meets Spain at 14.00 tomorrow, before Germany are the opponents in the main round’s last match at 18.00. You can watch the matches on Viaplay.

MATCH FACTS:
Croatia – Norway 0-2 (18-20 / 22-25)
European Championships in beach handball, preliminary round
Nazaré, Portugal
Top scorer Norway: Christian Daviknes with 19 points
Top scorer Croatia: Klaudio Hranjec with 12 points
Expulsions: Norway x 2, Croatia x 0

See full match report here.

MATCH FACTS:
Norway – Hungary 2-1 (20-22 / 19-18 / 6-4)
European Championships in beach handball, preliminary round
Nazaré, Portugal
Top scorer Norway: Christian Daviknes with 13 points
Top scorer Hungary: Attila Kun with 18 points
Expulsions: Norway x 0, Hungary x 3

See full match report here.

Read more about Beach EC 2023 here.