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Iceland survive second Pan American challenge

17 Jul. 2019

Iceland survive second Pan American challenge

Day two in Pavillon Municipal de Deportes de Pontevedra opened with an exciting game between Iceland and Argentina, which ended with the European side recording their second win at the 2019 IHF Men’s Junior World Championship. A slow start cost Argentina and they were left chasing throughout the game, coming close but ultimately not able to recover. 

With the victory, Iceland took their points tally to four, while Argentina remained on zero. Iceland’s first points came against Chile in round one, where they faced an unexpectedly difficult challenge but managed to clinch the win in the end. 

GROUP D
Argentina vs Iceland 22:26 (10:14) 

Iceland had a stronger start to the opening round two match for Group D, while Argentina had some trouble in the opening stages that meant an early deficit against the Pan American champions – and in the end, it proved too much to overcome. 

After 10 minutes Iceland held a three-goal edge, 6:3, while Argentina’s attack could not quite find its rhythm against the European side’s 6-0 defence. Argentina fell behind by five goals and managed to narrow the deficit only slightly before the break. A key factor was the performance of Iceland goalkeeper Andri Scheving, who recorded a save rate of 41% after 25 minutes. 

The Pan American champions were much stronger when the match resumed, fighting back to within one goal of their European rivals. Argentina continually changed their defensive formation, switching between 5-1 and 6-0. But after 16:17 in the 38th minute, Iceland reopened a clearer gap, and Argentina once again found themselves behind by a clear margin. 

However, just when Iceland may have felt comfortable, with a 22:16 advantage and 11 minutes remaining, the Pan American team staged yet another comeback. A 4:0 partial brought Argentina to a two-goal distance, 20:22, just three minutes later. At that point, with the momentum behind them, it was clear Argentina had a good chance to equalise the match. 

Iceland kept calm and, with an important save from goalkeeper Viktor Gisil Hallgrimsson five minutes before time, followed by a goal that moved them in front by three in a critical moment, the European team found the path to the win. As late as the 58th minute Argentina were still in with a chance, before Orri Freyr Porkelsson had the last say for Iceland and secured the victory with a goal from left wing. 

Player of the match: Bjarni Ofeigur Valdimarsson, Iceland

Photo: Juan Luis Recio/Spain 2019