Slovenia fly into main round as Cape Verde overcome in Zagreb

18 Jan. 2025

Slovenia fly into main round as Cape Verde overcome in Zagreb

Slovenia secured their 2025 IHF Men’s World Championship main round spot with a double-digit win over Cape Verde in Zagreb. 

Their victory was secured just before the break as they went on a 4:0 scoring run to open up a six-goal lead (17:11), a gap which their spirited opponents could not close.

GROUP G
Cape Verde vs Slovenia 24:36 (12:17)

Up until the 25th minute, Jorge Rito’s Cape Verde side were in touch of their European opponents, allowing them to not push on from numerous +3 leads, to keep them within two (13:11). 

The ability for them to stay close was maybe part of the reason coach Uros Zorman called a Slovenian time out in the 24th minute and this seemed to do the trick as Slovenia locked up shop directly after, preventing the ball from entering their goal and forcing numerous turnovers, thanks in large part to goalkeeper Klemen Ferlin.

It meant the African side could only score once more in the opening 30, despite Rito calling a time out to address the drought.

And while it was a shame for the neutral, it was exactly what Slovenia wanted going into the second half, allowing coach Uros Zorman to play his entire squad ahead of what will likely be a group decider against Iceland on Monday.

The Slovenian lead had extended to nine (23:14) by the time Rito took an early second half time out (37th minute), but Aleks Vlah and his teammates were ruthless, pushing into double figures and staying there, thanks to mid-half run which saw their opponents fail to score in five subsequent attacks.

Both teams play their final preliminary group matches on Monday (20 January) with Slovenia knowing a win over Iceland will secure top spot in the group and Cape Verde, should Cuba lose in their clash against Iceland tonight, knowing a win against the Cubans will secure their spot in the last 24.

hummel Player of the Match: Klemen Ferlin (Slovenia)