Industria Kielce are the first semi-finalist at the 2023 IHF Men’s Super Globe, after securing their second win in as many matches in the preliminary round, dominating the San Francisco CalHeat, 49:23, in the last match of Group D.

GROUP D
Industria Kielce (POL) vs San Francisco CalHeat (USA) 49:23 (22:12)

Two wins in the preliminary round at the 2023 IHF Men’s Super Globe are enough to seal a semi-finals berth, therefore Industria Kielce knew that creating a streak of consecutive wins in Group D, against the San Francisco CalHeat, will be enough to progress to the next phase of the competition.

Kielce were coming after a scare against Al-Najma Club in the first match, where they mounted a comeback in the last few minutes to clinch a precious 27:26 win, but the gap between them and the CalHeat was even bigger and that was there to be seen since the start of the match.

As coach Talant Dujshebaev decided to give meaningful minutes to all his players, Kielce used a 3:1 run to start the match and another 6:1 in the middle of the first half to create a nine-goal lead, 14:5, with any question about the winner of the match being answered from the start.

The Polish side used the saves from goalkeepers Miłosz Walach (seven saves for a 36% saving efficiency) and Nikodem Blazejewski (10 saves for a 46% saving efficiency) as a launching pad for a flurry of fast breaks, which were converted by their pacy wings or line players.

After a 22:12 lead at the break for Kielce, the gap grew even bigger, as the CalHeat had no answer to the Polish side’s potent attack, especially on fast breaks – 10 goals from 11 fast breaks – and fast throw offs, with left wing Dylan Nahi dominating the proceedings.

The French star scored 10 goals from 11 shots, with Kielce constantly punishing the CalHeat’s defence, which tried to stop the Polish side’s back line, leaving Nahi usually free to try as many shots as possible, with an excellent efficiency.
By the end of the match, Kielce cruised to a 49:23 win, their largest in history at the IHF Men’s Super Globe, beating the previous record set against Kuwait SC in the last edition, 47:26. This was also the largest number of goals scored by the Polish side in any win in the Super Globe, with the previous record also set against the Asian side in 2022.

With their second win in as many matches, Industria Kielce became the first semi-finalist of the 2023 IHF Men’s Super Globe, sealing their third semi-finals berth in as many participations, with the Polish side aiming to qualify for the final for the first time.

On the other hand, the CalHeat have lost their fifth time in as many matches at the IHF Men’s Super Globe and will head to the Placement Matches 9/12.

hummel Player of the Match: Dylan Nahi (Industria Kielce)