Russian Handball Federation Team take sensational win over Slovenia

16 Jan. 2021

Russian Handball Federation Team take sensational win over Slovenia

The Russian Handball Federation Team were already singing, clapping and dancing before the final buzzer, celebrating their convincing 31:25 win against Slovenia. And there was so much to be proud of, taking not only their first win at this World Championship but also clinching a spot in the main round alongside Belarus.  

GROUP H
Russian Handball Federation vs Slovenia 31:25 (16:13)

The second match today in Alexandria saw a nervous start for group favourites Slovenia. Thanks to captain Jure Dolenec, they took the lead in the opening minutes. Dolenec was the outstanding man on court for Slovenia in the first ten minutes, scoring all three goals for his team. 

Lifted by an excellent team effort, the Russian Handball Federation Team turned the  tide of the match, taking the lead at 5:4 in the 11th minute and remained superior for the rest of the match, celebrating every goal and good action on court. Right back Dmitrii Kiselev leapt into the air when he scored to give his team the first three-goal lead. Kiselev, left wing Igor Soroka and left back Sergei Kosorotov finished with six goals each, the top scorers for their team. 

Slovenia almost came all the way back when Dragan Gajic scored a penalty shot and a fast break goal to reduce the gap to one. Not being a factor in this game so far, the Russian Handball Federation Team goalkeeper Viktor Kireev made an impact in a superb five-minute span with three spectacular saves, stopping a penalty shot from Dragan Gajic, followed by a breakthrough against Borut Mackovsek and a shot from Blaz Janc. 

With only three Slovenian goals in the first ten minutes into the second half, the Russian Handball Federation Team inched further ahead. 

“We talked about what to improve in the break. I changed the defence to be more aggressive and to get easier goals, but when you always chase it’s difficult, also mentally,” said an unsatisfied Ljubomir Vranjes after the match. 

As the game proceeded, Kireev and his defence were the key to success, as captain Daniil Shishkarev pointed out after the match. Again and again, Kireev stood out with excellent saves, finishing with a 41 percent save rate and winning Player of the Match. 

“I am proud of the team because it was very hard work and for us it was great to win against such a team as Slovenia,” said a happy Shishkarev after the match.

In the 10th encounter between the two sides, the Russian Handball Federation Team took their eighth win - the first in 16 years when they defeated Slovenia 31:27 in the preliminary round at the 2005 World Championship.

hummel Player of the Match: Viktor Kireev, Russian Handball Federation