World Handball Championship: Denmark ends Croatia’s quarterfinal hopes
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Zlatko HORVAT (13), Nikolaj ØRIS NIELSEN (31) during the IHF World Championship 2021 Egypt, Main Round, Denmark vs Croatia (Photo credit: © Jozo Cabraja / kolektiff)
CAIRO, 25 January 2021 – Croatia’s hopes of reaching the quarterfinals at the 2021 World Men’s Handball Championship in Egypt have been dashed by world champions Denmark on Monday.
After a tight first half, Denmark would run away with the victory 38-26 at the Cairo Stadium Hall.
Earlier in the day, Qatar done Croatia a big favour by beating Argentina which meant Lino Čevar’s side just needed a win over Denmark to finish second in the group and advance to the quarterfinals.
It was a much better opening for the red and white checkers as they scored the first two goals of the match. Croatia continued to show aggression on defence and were mobile in attack as they managed to maintain a two-goal lead for a good part of the half.
Marko MAMIC (30) during the IHF World Championship 2021 Egypt, Main Round, Denmark vs Croatia (Photo credit © Jozo Cabraja / kolektiff)
Denmark, who had already qualified for the quarterfinals showed glimpses of their quality throughout the half and it was in the later stages that they would themselves go out in front by two.
Domagoj DUVNJAK (5), Magnus SAUGSTRUP JENSEN (15) during the IHF World Championship 2021 Egypt, Main Round, Denmark vs Croatia (Photo credit © Jozo Cabraja / kolektiff)
Denmark would lead at the break 17-15.
Croatia did not start the second half as they would have wished and mistakes on attack would see Denmark stretch the lead early on to seven goals when they made it 22-15.
Mads MENSAH LARSEN (22), Domagoj DUVNJAK (5), Henrik MøLLGAARD JENSEN (21) during the IHF World Championship 2021 Egypt, Main Round, Denmark vs Croatia (Photo credit © Jozo Cabraja / kolektiff)
Croatia scored their first goal of the second half after 8 minutes but the damage had already been done.
The world champions looked as if they went up a gear after the break as Croatia started to run out of steam after their effort in the first spell.
Domagoj DUVNJAK (5) during the IHF World Championship 2021 Egypt, Main Round, Denmark vs Croatia (Photo credit © Jozo Cabraja / kolektiff)
Croatia exits the tournament after drawing their opening match 29-29 against Japan, wins overAngola and Bahrain and losses to Argentina and Denmark.
Lino CERVAR (Coach), Domagoj DUVNJAK (5) during the IHF World Championship 2021 Egypt, Main Round, Denmark vs Croatia, (Photo credit © Jozo Cabraja / kolektiff)
The tournament was also the last for Croatia’s veteran coach who announced earlier that he would be leaving his post after the tournament.
