Poland and Romania secured the two 22nd IHF Women’s Handball World Championship Semi-Final tickets up for grabs in Herning, with electric one-goal wins that had the crowd in Jyske Bank BOXEN on the edge of their seats for almost the entire evening. Both teams put on an exceptional defensive and goalkeeping performance, with Poland defeating the previously unbeaten Russian Federation and Romania knocking out hosts Denmark. 

Jyske Bank BOXEN, Herning
Poland vs Russian Federation 21:20 (11:9)

For Russia, the team that had so far recorded straight wins at Denmark 2015 – and were the only side to do so – it was a somewhat underwhelming first half. Just as it was in their Eighth-Final match against Hungary, Poland came out firing and Karolina Kudlacz-Gloc made an early breakthrough that earned them the first goal of the game. 

Poland goalkeeper Anna Wysokinska was once again a key part of her team’s early success, as she finished the first half with a huge 50% save rate that made Russia’s job very difficult. Russia’s first goal finally came from Polina Kuznetcova, who found a gap again after the team struggled against Poland’s strong defence unrewarded for several minutes. 

Russia were clearly having difficulty playing their usual style against the tall Polish wall. Coach Evgeny Trefilov paced the side-line and had to reach for his time-out card when his team trailed 3:1 in the eighth minute, seeming lost for answers against Poland’s defence and Wysokinska’s outstanding performance. Even after the time-out Russia could not find the goal, leaving them score-less for eight minutes. 

The only thing that saved the team that won the title four times between 2001 and 2009 was their defence, though Monika Kobylinska in particular gave them a headache as she scored four out of four shots in the first period coming on as a specialist attacker. 

Anna Vyakhereva finally scored and Russia slowly began to close the gap, but it was not without lost balls and missed easy opportunities. They came within one in the 16th minute at 5:4 before centre back Kinga Achruk broke through from right wing to take Poland two ahead at 6:4. But Russia had found a little momentum and Vyakhereva equalised 6:6 in the 19th. 

Two successive two-minute suspensions for Ekaterina Ilina followed by Ksenia Mackeeva in the 25th minute (8:7) were costly for Russia, enabling Poland to inch ahead to a 10:7 advantage with goals from Achruk and Iwona Niedzwiedz. They held on to take a two-goal lead into the break, but it was Russia who returned stronger to score two quick goals that equalised in the 33rd at 11:11. 

Again Poland pulled away before Mackeeva decreased the gap to 15:14 just before the 40-minute mark and Poland coach Kim Rasmussen called his first time-out of the game. He was not rewarded however – Russia now firmly grabbed the momentum, scoring three goals in succession that gave them a 17:15 lead in the 44th minute. 

Rasmussen again called a time-out before Russia keeper Viktoria Kalinina saved a penalty that kept the score at 17:15, where it stayed until Poland left wing Agnieszka Kocela contributed two goals to equalise at 17:17. 

Achruk was sent off for two minutes, which could have been critical, but Russia were unable to pull ahead thanks largely to Poland’s defence and an important save by Poland keeper Weronika Gawlik. Kobylinska then took her turn off on a suspension with just over five minutes left, and the team were again saved by Gawlik – who finished the match with 55% save rate after playing most of the second half. 

As the clock ticked down neither side could find the goal, and Poland entered the final minute with possession and the score level. Kobylinska scored to take Poland in front 21:20 with just over 30 seconds left, and Gawlik saved Vyakhereva’s final attempt to send Poland into the Semi-Finals. 

For Poland’s Danish coach Kim Rasmussen, it was a special achievement in front of a home crowd. 

“We could feel the crowd as we entered the arena; we could feel they were supporting us. That was good because we needed everything to beat Russia,” said Rasmussen, continuing to explain that it is true he was not sure his team could win the match. “We are realistic. Of course we do not enter the court expecting to beat Russia. Maybe we don’t play the most beautiful handball but we believe that the tactic is the right one – the players trust me and I trust them.”

Best Player of the Match presented by adidas: Weronika GAWLIK (POL) Goalkeeper

Denmark vs Romania 30:31 (27:27)(10:13)

As expected Romania took to the court against more than seven players, with almost the full weight of a 12,000-strong crowd behind them – and a few vocal Romanians mixed in for good measure. 

Romania were the first to score with an exceptional shot from line player Oana Manea, who stood all the way out on the wing when her side where in attack – undoubtedly a tactic from coach Tomas Ryde to draw Denmark’s focus away from star Cristina Neagu and encourage one-on-one situations for his physically dominant players. 

Romania goalkeeper Paula Ungureanu was in exceptional form again, making six difficult saves in the first half to tally a rate of 43% (30% at the end of the game). But Kristina Kristiansen finally found the way past her to put Denmark’s first goal on the board in the fifth minute. Romania were the dominant force however, maintaining a slight edge as the half progressed. 

The home side briefly equalised just after 10 minutes at 4:4 with a goal from right wing Trine Ostergaard, but Neagu scored a penalty and Eliza Buceschi hit the back of the net to give Romania a two-goal advantage at 6:4 in the 13th. Denmark continued to chase until half-time, levelling the score at the 20-minute mark with a goal from line player Mette Gravholt (7:7) then again in the 25th with a penalty by Line Jorgensen (9:9), but Romania always pulled away. With five seconds left in the first period Neagu scored her sixth goal to give Romania a three-goal advantage at the break. 

When the match resumed Denmark quickly closed the gap with Gravholt again the one to equalise in the 33rd at 13:13, but goals from all over the court and saves from Ungureanu meant Romania reclaimed a firm lead. When Adriana Nechita took Romania ahead to 22:20 with 12 minutes remaining on the clock Denmark coach Klavs Bruun Jorgensen called his first time-out. 

As the match entered its final 10 minutes Neagu scored her 11th to take the score to 24:22, before Ungureanu made a save off Ostergaard to keep Romania in front. Coach Jorgensen’s next step was to mark Neagu out, and his decision proved the right one as Denmark closed the gap to equalise at 24:24 in the 24th. 

But Ungureanu again denied Denmark, this time saving Hansen’s breakthrough, after which Ryde called his second time-out. Neagu struck from outside before the home team found the goal again, as the one-for-one race to the buzzer continued. Neagu converted a penalty to put the score at 27:26, and Denmark entered the final minute with possession. 

The hosts received a penalty with 23 seconds left, and with tension in the stadium running high, Ungureanu saved Stine Jorgensen’s shot. Denmark were awarded another penalty after Romania’s defenders responded to the rebound from inside the line, and Line Jorgensen converted. 

With the score level at 27:27 and nine seconds left, Ryde used his final time-out before Romania received a penalty right on the buzzer. The crowd roared their delight when Poulsen saved Neagu’s shot, sending the match into extra time. 

Stine Jorgensen was sent off for two minutes after a minute of extra time, and Romania were able to inch ahead to 29:28. In the second period of extra time Stine Jorgensen equalised for Denmark at 29:29, but Neagu was unstoppable, again taking her side in front 30:29 before Hansen scored inside the last minute of extra time (30:30). Romania had possession with 40 seconds on the clock and played a relatively calm attack – considering what was at stake – for Nechita to score with two seconds left, leaving Denmark no chance to respond. 

Neagu scored an incredible 15 goals in the match – very nearly half her team’s total tally. 

Best Player of the Match presented by adidas: Cristina NEAGU (ROU) Left Back

Photos: Jan Christensen / DHF