The Westfalenhalle in Dortmund said goodbye to main round, group II with neighbours Faroe Islands and Iceland playing out their last game of the world championship in a high-tempo match which was full of importance for both teams, who have just four world championship appearances between them.

In the end Iceland got the victory, but the Faroes pushed them all the way in their debut world championship and they will be back next time full of experience. The result was the same difference as the 28:25 victory for Iceland in the Faroes when the two teams met in their final world championship warm-up game.

Main Round, Group IV
Faroe Islands vs Iceland 30:33 (14:16)

A disappointing opening quarter saw the Faroe Islands behind by six (13:7), but in an inspired end to the opening 30 minutes, the debutants came back within two goals to set up what would be a blistering second half.

As Iceland did just enough to stay in front in the second period, employing 7v6 attacking options when needed, the Faroes Islands captain Pernille Brandenborg brought her side within one in the 52nd minute (28:27) and the small group of Faroese fans inside the hall, combined with the German fans who had stayed on following their record attendance earlier in the day were in for a passionate and tense final 10 minutes.

Brandenborg’s goal and an effective 5-1 defence caused an Icelandic time out, needed to help reset a team who were in danger of ending the main round group stage without a point.

With Iceland scoring the go-ahead goal, the Faroes were playing catch-up, but in the moments that mattered at the end – a seven-metre miss by Maria Weyhe and a turnover from Brandenborg – allowed Iceland to extend their lead to three (30:27) and hold on until the end.

“I’m really happy and it was really important that we fought all the way,” said Iceland’s Elin Klara Thorkelsdottir after the game. “We could change [the bench] more and we just wanted to finish the game with a win. Our defence was great and to get two points now I am really happy.”

After the final whistle, a disappointed Jana Mittun and her side consoled each other, thanked their incredible fans – who made the party in Trier in the preliminary round – and walked off court.

They will be back, just like Iceland, as the two island nations brought a new derby into handball – the North Atlantic classic.

“It’s always an important duel,” said Faroe Islands goalkeeper Annika Fridheim Petersen who was playing in the tournament just a few months after becoming a mother. “Our countries are close and it’s really important to win, but they were better today.

“We had a bad start and in the second half we came back in the game but this world championship was an amazing experience. We definitely will be back and I am so proud of the team and the fans. We accomplished more than I thought we would. I am proud, but sad we lost today.”

hummel Player of the Match: Jana Mittun (Faroe Islands)