Austria claim first victory at Egypt 2021

20 Jan. 2021

Austria claim first victory at Egypt 2021

Austria broke a three-game losing run with a 36:22 win against Morocco, as the African side conceded their fourth loss at Egypt 2021.

After Chile recorded their biggest-ever win in the same group on Wednesday against Republic of Korea (44:33), Austria followed suit, steamrolling Morocco 36:22.

PRESIDENT’S CUP GROUP II
Austria vs Morocco 36:22 (17:14)

Morocco will have to wait at least two years to secure their first win against European opposition at an  IHF Men’s World Championship.

Prior to the game against Austria, the African side conceded 20 losses against European teams, including two at Egypt 2021, against Portugal (20:33) and Iceland (23:31).

It was nothing new for the Moroccan side against Austria, following the same energetic and intense approach, until the aggressive defence started to break.

It took more than 15 minutes, but Austria managed a 3:0 run with two goals from right wing Robert Weber, resulting in a 12:8 lead for the European side after 20 minutes.

Despite right wing Reida Rezzouki’s goals, who scored six times in the first half, the Moroccan side had a three-goal deficit at the break (17:14), due to their nine turnovers in the first half.

Spurred by three goals from hummel Player of the Match Sebastian Frimmel, a 8:1 run for Austria between the 32th and 43th minute was Morocco’s downfall, as the African team were trailing 17:25.

Eventually, with left wing Frimmel hitting nine goals past Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Idrissi, Austria secured an impressive 36:22 win.

It was Austria’s biggest-ever win at an IHF Men’s World Championship, with the previous record being a 38:26 victory against Iran at Qatar 2015.

After both teams won their first games in this group, Austria will face Chile on Friday, in a match that could decide the group’s winner, while Morocco meet Republic of Korea in the battle of the teams that failed to win a point at Egypt 2021.

hummel Player of the Match: Sebastian Frimmel, Austria