Led by Yaroslava Frolova’s 11 goals, the clash between the top two teams in Group D saw Russia comfortably cruise to a 30:22 win against Sweden.

GROUP D
Russia vs Sweden 30:22 (16:12)

Not only was this a crucial victory to win the group, but this victory also sees the EURO 2018 runners-up atop Group II in the main round table putting them in a prime position to make a deep tournament run.

Up 3:2 early in the first half, Frolova’s three straight goals put Russia ahead 7:4 and they never looked back. The only time they trailed in the game was after Linn Blohm scored the first goal of the contest in the first minute of the match. Russia continued to build a lead and slowly pull away throughout the first half thanks to Frolova’s six first half goals. The Russians went into the dressing room with a 16:12 lead.

Sweden led by Isabelle Gullden tried to chip away at the lead as she scored her side’s first three goals of the second half. Blohm scored a fast break goal in the bottom left side of the goal to make it a two point game with 23 minutes left to play. That is a close as they would get to catching the Russians. 

A crucial four goal run led by Frolova and Polina Kuznetsova in the latter stages of the second half sealed the deal for the game and group victory. Kuznetsova was the second leading scorer for the Russians who finished with 67 percent shooting.

Gullden and Blohm led the Swedes in scoring with eight and five.

With the result, Sweden finishes second in Group D and currently sits in third place behind Russia and Spain in Group II of the main round table.

hummel Player of the Match: Yaroslava Frolova, Russia

PHOTO CREDIT: JHA/Sports Event