Denmark and Hungary register big wins at Croatia 2023

In their second matches at the 2023 IHF Men’s Youth World Championship, Denmark and Hungary confirmed their favourite mantle and secured big wins against Mexico and New Zealand, respectively.
 
The two European sides made big steps towards a main round berth, leading from start to finish, as Denmark secured a 49:21 win over Mexico, while Hungary delivered their largest-ever win in history in the world handball flagship competition, 49:6.
 

• Group B

New Zealand vs Hungary 6:49 (2:26)
 
Fresh from being at the receiving end of the highest loss in history at the IHF Men’s Youth World Championship (11:60) against Slovenia, New Zealand were eager to display a better game against Hungary. Yet, the challenge was even tougher, with the European side a force to be reckoned with.
 
After seven minutes and 37 seconds, the outcome was clear, as New Zealand scored their first goal but had previously conceded seven, with an average of a goal per minute from Hungary, which once again took advantage of their opponents’ turnovers.
 
Half of Hungary’s goals in the first half (13) came via fast breaks, with right wing Roland Terjék being the top scorer, with eight goals, while centre back Kristóf Csörgő, maybe Hungary’s rising star from this team, added four more goals to improve the gap as the minutes passed.
 
Until the end of the first half, New Zealand added only one more goal to their tally, but it was goalkeeper Stanley Schirnack who really starred, saving five shots for an 18% saving efficiency, including two back-to-back one-on-one saves, frustrating Hungary’s attack in key moments.
 
With Hungary eyeing the game against Slovenia, scheduled for Saturday, the European side turned off a bit of their steam, but the gap still widened in the second half, as New Zealand’s turnovers were too costly, as New Zealand lost 37 balls due to own mistakes. 
 
Eventually, Hungary secured a clear 49:6 win, which is their largest-ever at the IHF Men’s Youth World Championship, and also the first by 30 goals or more, as all but one of their outfield players scored at least once.
 
This was also only the eighth win at the IHF Men’s Youth World Championship by a gap of 40 goals or more, but also the third highest win in the competition, after the record set by Slovenia against New Zealand (60:11) two days ago, and the 46-goal sealed by Sweden against Burundi (62:16) on Thursday.
 
hummel Player of the Match: Roland Terjék (Hungary)

 

 

 

• Group E

Mexico vs Denmark 21:49 (8:26)

Three-time champions Denmark were seen as strong favourites against Mexico, who are yet to claim their maiden win at this level. And the Nordic team confirmed that status, winning by as many as 28 goals. If Austria beat Chile in the same Group E later today, both European sides will secure their main round berths. 

All Denmark's 14 outfield players put their names on the scoresheet, and "hummel Player of the Match" Frederik Emil Pedersen became their top scorer, converting all his eight shots. His teammate Malte Julius Johnsson Eichhorst, who stood in goal in the second half, should also be credited for his 11 saves and a 46% save rate.

And in the first 30 minutes, the Danes did not even need great goalkeeping to take firm control of the match. Mexico made as many as 20 turnovers before the break, and the European team capitalised on their rivals' mistakes, scoring from fast breaks time after time. 

The Central Americans took their first timeout in the 13th minute when they were behind 2:12. After that, Mexico somewhat improved their attacking performance but continued to struggle in defence, as Denmark scored 26 goals before half-time. 

With an 18-goal gap between the teams at the break, there was no doubt about the outcome, and in the end, Mexicans again conceded 49 goals – just as many as two days before against Austria. 

hummel Player of the Match: Frederik Emil Pedersen (Denmark)

Photos: Croatia 2023/Kolektiff images