Liudmila Bodnieva’s RHF side had never been behind at the half-time break in any of their three matches at Spain 2021 so far but Dragan Adzic’s Slovenia did just that to them in a game which they led after 30 minutes (15:14) and nearly for the whole 60.

In the end, a 26:26 draw was the result with at least Slovenia feeling they could have won in a match which was exciting but full of uncharacteristic mistakes from some of the key individuals on court.

MAIN ROUND GROUP I
RHF vs Slovenia 26:26 (14:15)

Slovenia made it two draws out of their last two matches as they held on against RHF to gain a point and continue with the mathematical possibility of qualification through to the quarter-finals on three points, while RHF sit top of the group on five points with France sandwiched in between.

With the Slovenians firing on all of their Ana Gros, Elizabeth Omoregie and Tanja Stanko rockets early on, it took RHF seven minutes to go in front for the first (4:3) but Dragan Adzic’s side led by Gros were never far behind, and even in front in the opening 30, a first half in which they should have extended their lead on a number of occasions.

The fact that half of the goals in that opening period came from 9m highlighted not only the big guns on show in Granollers, but that Spain 2021 has got into the business end of competition with every point priceless.

Missed opportunities in the first 30 minutes from Adzic’s side would have frustrated the former Montenegro coach, but even with a below 50% shooting conversion rate for most of the half RHF could not punish their lack of efficiency.

A 15:14 lead for Slovenia was the first RHF had experienced being behind at the break at Spain 2021 but they came out in the second half sluggish and Slovenia raced to a four-goal lead (18:14, 35th minute).

The last quarter was enthralling as RHF gradually chased down their difference and it was almost inevitable they went ahead as Adzic pushed his side full force into a 7 vs 6 to go ahead 23:21, but Aneja Beganovic turned over the ball and Anastasiia Illarionova was quickest to react, slotting home full court to make it 22:22 instead.

RHF quickly went ahead (23:22) – the first time since the 54th minute – but they failed to kill the game off, instead continuing to make technical mistakes and turning the ball over. With 20 seconds remaining a Gros rocket put her side ahead (26:25), but the experience of Iuliia Managarova following a late RHF time out saw her get the ball out to Iuliia Markova who coolly slotted home and take a much-welcomed point by Bodnieva and her side.

“I am so proud of my team as we played really strong for 45 minutes,” said Slovenia’s Natasa Ljepova. “Then we fall down a little, but we are happy because this is a big point for us because Russia are a big team.”

“We know how important every point in the main is,” said Bodnieva. “We should be really happy with one point because we played the way the opponent allowed us to and I’m sure we didn’t show our best at all.”

hummel Player of the Match: Iuliia Managarova, RHF