Outstanding Tretynko leads Russian Handball Federation Team to win

Neither the Russian Handball Federation Team nor the Republic of Korea had anything to lose going into this game as both sides already knew their fate. Korea once more gave a good challenge but eventually took their third consecutive loss at Egypt 2021 after a brilliant performance from the Russian Handball Federation Team goalkeeper Stanislav Tretynko. 

GROUP H  
Republic of Korea vs Russian Handball Federation 26:30 (15:15)

The first half saw an even affair as no side was able to build a lead larger than two goals. The European side found several ways through their opponent's defence, as ten different players scored for them in the first half.

For Korea, they relied once more on their one-on-one abilities, led by right back Jiun Kim, who scored five of his eight goals in the first half. The most spectacular action of the encounter was from the Asian side and Player of the Match Jiun Kim, who finished a double in-flight goal after the assists from Jin-Young Kim and Myeonghan Yu.

“It wasn’t that bad for the last game of the preliminary round but it still wasn’t enough. We showed courage and our players are getting better step by step during this tournament,” said head coach Il Koo Kang. 

His counterpart Velimir Petković said, “It was a difficult match today, especially as we were already through to the main round and after our emotional fight and win against Slovenia. We were a bit heavy-legged against those young and fast Korean players.”  

Entering the match in the second half, it took left wing Igor Soroka only three minutes to regain the Russian Handball Federation Team's two-goal lead. Korea stayed within reach, but fell slowly behind, as the European side took their first four-goal advantage at the 40th minute. 

The key for the Russian Handball Federation Team was goalkeeper Stanislav Tretynko, who celebrated an excellent World Championship debut. Korea had the chance to reduce the deficit to one goal, but the fast break shot from Byeongju Lee was stopped by Tretynko. He finished with 17 saves and a 53 percent save rate, including two penalty shots in only forty minutes. 

The Russian Handball Federation Team will take three points to the main round while Korea proceed to the President’s Cup.

hummel Player of the Match: Jiun Kim, Republic of Korea