Group B: Matchday 4 Post-match
The Analysis
Macedonia - Russia (29-29)
Palacio de San Pablo, Seville. January 16, 15:45
Macedonia perform in a tie against Russia. Macedonia and Russia lock horns in the most equal meeting of the four game days celebrated in Seville and they sealed their ticket for the last 16. Oleg Kuleshov's team controled the first half, meanwhile the Balkans managed to react after the break to level the scales with a meritable performance (29-29).
In the first half, Macedonia noted the tight marking that Kiril Lazarov was subjected to, who achieved a modest 50% accuracy. The quality of the Russian Timur Dibirov, who hit the bullseye 7 times in 30 minutes, he tilted the game in their favour in the opening minutes (3-6, 8th minute). Russia, however, worsened and allowed a 10-10 tie at 19 minutes. Only an electric final few minutes put them ahead (13-16 at the break).
The second half was spectacular. Dibirov faded in the wake of Macedonia and Dibirov struck again. At 26-26 a mere 9 minutes from the end caused the last few minutes to be pure madness, in which the Macedonians surged past the static defence and earnt a golden point.
THE FACT: Gorbok repeated his low throwing accuracy with 6 from 13, 43% accuracy.
STATEMENTS
Zvonko Shundovski (Macedonian head coach): "It was a very beautiful game. We had character throughout the match. It was very hard work. Against Denmark we will have ourselves an even harder match".
Naumche Mojsovki (Macedonia): "We had our best game of the tournament. Dibirov caused a lot of damage in the first half, but then we reacted".
Oleg Kuleshov (Russian head coach): "For 15 or 16 minutes we were very uncomfortable. There were many differences between the first and second half. Their goalkeeper had a great game".
Dmitry Zhitnikov (Russia): "It wasn't the best day for our team. We made too many errors. At points we weren't comfortable in the game".
THE BEST
- MVP: Stojanche Stoilov (Macedonia)
- Top Scorer: Kiril Lazarov (Macedonia, 10 goles)
Chile - Qatar (23-31)
Palacio de San Pablo, Seville. January 16, 18:00
.jpg)
Qatar win their first World Championships victory for 10 years. Qatar overcome Chile, who are unprecedented in the tournament, and put a strong end to the 10 years without a win in the World Championships - the last time they won dates back to the 26th January 2003 beating Greenland in Portugal. Borut Macek's disciples were infinitely superior from the 1st minute.
Qatar exercised an absolute dominance over an unknown Chile from the start. A partial of 2-7 at 12 minutes unbalanced the duel. Fernando Capurro's 7 committed too many errors in attack and their static defence couldn't contain the rivals. The Qataris scored an alarming 4-11 that forced the Chilean coach to call for a time-out and change the defence, but the first half closed a conclusive 9-16. In the second half, Chile did not react and even conceded a partial of 5-9 that finished the meeting.
THE FACT: Mohsin Yafai, the Qatari goalie, stopped 17 of his rivals throws (44%).
STATEMENTS
Fernando Luis Capurro (Chilean head coach): "Congratulations to the Qatarian Coach for how he set up the game. It took us a long time to find the answers and when we found them their goalkeeper had an amazing game. The referee's work was appauling. So it's difficult to provide a performance".
Esteban Salinas (Chile): "In the first half we were very taken aback. It took it's toll on us when we wanted to react, because we were had already been put 7 goals behind"
Borut Macek (Qatarian head coach): "It was a hard game. The two sides had a lot of pressure on them to win. We are happy for the victory and for how our goalkeeper played".
Ahmed Abdelhak (Qatar): "We're very happy because the team performed well across the court and at all times".
THE BEST
- MVP: Mohsin Yafai (Qatar)
- Top Scorer: Sahbi Aziza (Qatar, 8 goals)
Iceland - Denmark (28-36)
Palacio de San Pablo, Seville. January 16, 20:15
Denmark certify their leadership and already wait their match in the last 16. Denmark certified their cominance of the group after defeating Iceland, one of the best teams in the tournament. The Danes used their finest troops to confirm the win. Their stars, Hansen and Landin, awoke their muscles and guided the Nordics to a win.
The first half was electric. Iceland led a 6-0 defence to weaken the potential of the Danes. Landin and Gustavsson repeated their outstanding performances from days before and they kept narrow partials throughout the match (3-5, 9th minute, 5-8, 13th minute). The scoring average of the Danes lead the match to an emotional 13-16 at the break. After the rest, Ulrik Wilbek's men improved their performances and confirmed and advantage of 17-23 in the 41st minute. From this lead they led on to a victory of substance (28-36).
THE FACT: Hansen had a nose for the goal with 7 bullseyes.
STATEMENTS
Ulrik Wilbek (Danish head coach): "It was a very good game. Iceland were good in attack. We need to improve our defence for future days. I promise that we will beat Macedonia".
Jannick Green (Denmark): "We were't very good in defence, although our counterattacks worked well".
Aron Kristjansson (Icelandic head coach): "We had a bad second half. Maybe because yesterday we had a tough game. We were worse than other days in attack, but it's because of fatigue".
Kari Kristjansson (Iceland): "We started the second half very strong, but we got tired and lost our way"
THE BEST
- MVP: Mikkel Hansen (Denmark)
- Top Scorer: Kari Kristjansson (Iceland, 8 goals)