Wildcard Austria down Korea with last-second victory

The 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship got underway in Norway in dramatic fashion as an end-of-game Katarina Pandza penalty for Austria ensured a 30:29 victory for the European side against Republic of Korea.

Group C
Republic of Korea vs Austria 29:30 (12:16)

After being awarded a wildcard in July, following their failure to overcome Spain in the European qualification phase, Austria made the most of their second chance, defeating the Asian champions Korea in their world championship opener.

Ahead of the game Austria coach Herbert Müller had described the clash as “…the most important game, because with a win you could cause a really big surprise and set yourself up for a wave of success,” and will now have one eye on the main round as they prepare to face co-hosts and title-holders Norway next, before ending the preliminary group campaign against Greenland.

His side were impressive, going behind in the 60 minutes just once (42nd minute) and they had started with intent, going 5:2 up within seven minutes and forcing Korea coach Henrik Signell to take an early time out (06:16).

Signell used the pause to emphasise the need for his team to communicate and to relax on the fast-break. But that did not change the swing, although Korea were unlucky, hitting the woodwork of the goal on numerous occasions.

With their goalkeeper Park Saeyoung unable to make a save in her first nine shots faced, the evidence was clear that Austria were in their rhythm and enjoying the match, led by Ines Ivancok who registered five strikes inside the first quarter.

Park was taken off after just 13 minutes, replaced with Jeong Jinhui but the pair ended up with just seven saves from the 37 they faced, six of them in the second half.

So it was down the other end where Korea looked to capitalise, with Ryu Eun-Hee and Woo Bitna leading the way but they could not come within less than three, going into the break 12:16 down, but having halved their earlier deficit (six goals – 3:9, 11th minute).

Ryu and Woo continued to push Korea early on in the second half and Woo herself brought the score level in the 40th minute (19:19), in part due to an open Austrian goal in the 7v6 game.

The game entered the final quarter all square (22:22), but Austria always had the impetus, despite the best efforts of Ryu, whose 55th minute strike to make it 26:26 was one to watch – the Gyor player securing the ball from the save in one hand and smashing home with the same.

Ryu would be the difference in the game in the end – but in favour of Austria.

First, when she was given a two-minute suspension for a hold from behind with Austria 27:26 ahead (56th minute) and then despite an impressive Woo equaliser – her 11th goal – with just five seconds remaining, following an Austrian turnover (29:29), Ryu prevented the impressive Patricia Kovács from pulling the trigger on her shot and Pandza sunk home the penalty winner after the buzzer had sounded.

hummel Player of the Match: Woo Bitna (KOR)