– A transport stage towards the final. Hungary has played well this championship, but they will be a little too easy, says news’s handball expert Kenneth Gabrielsen. Because the final place was almost never in danger for the Norwegian handball girls in Friday’s semi-final. Norway, who have won the last two European championships, did the job and could finally celebrate a 30-22 victory. The final will be played on Sunday at 18.00 and there awaits the winner of France – Denmark. That match has a return at 20.30. – It was very good work by the gang. It’s solid at the back, especially when we’re full especially, forwards a bit mixed, but it’s good to have a Henny (Reistad) and a Thale (Rushfeldt Deila) and a few more, says national team manager Thorir Hergeirsson to TV 2 when the final place was a fact . – Put some words on being in the EC final? – I’m just happy. I said I would enjoy this weekend here and so far I am enjoying it. ONE LAST DANCE: Sunday’s final will be Thorir Hergeirsson’s last as Norwegian national team manager. Photo: Eva Manhart / AFP Undefeated The handball girls have won all seven matches so far in the championship and were clear favorites before the semi-finals. Before tonight’s match, Norway had beaten Hungary in 12 out of 13 EC matches. In EC 2022, they met in the group stage, when Norway won 32-22. Norway started the match well and led 4-1 after just six minutes. They never gave up their leadership. Hungary always had one or two players close to Reistad, but the full-back still found room and space and scored four goals in the first half. FINAL READY: Tale Rushfeldt-Deila has delivered a good championship for Norway. Photo: AFP Still, not everything went smoothly for Norway. A 13-8 lead after 22 minutes became 13-11 at the break, in a period where important Thale Rushfeldt Deila got his second two minutes of the evening. – We can praise the Hungarian defense. Hungary have got it their way and got Norway out of rhythm, in addition to Norway making many technical mistakes. Kudos to Hungary for getting back into the game again, says Gabrielsen. – We have had a number of expulsions and are getting out of the rhythm. We had enough chances at the end of the half as well, although we didn’t score, and I feel we are in control of the game. It felt good apart from the last few minutes, says goalkeeper coach Mats Olsson to news. BIG SCORERS: Emilie Margrethe Hovdens scored five goals in Friday’s semi-final. Photo: Petr David Josek / AP Full control in the second half Norway was back to its best at the start of the second half. Five minutes after the break, Norway led 17-13, led by top scorer Henny Reistad and conductor Thale Rushfeldt Deila. – Thale Rushfeldt Deila’s championship is at an insane level, says Gabrielsen. When Katrine Lunde also kept up with brilliant goalkeeping, Norway never looked back. With 13 minutes left to play, Norway led 24-16. – Now it doesn’t look like there is much juice left in Hungary, concluded Gabrielsen, and he was right. Thus it will be the final this time too, even without stars such as Nora Mørk (pregnant) and Stine Oftedal Dahmke (laid up). Then Norway will try to win the EC for the tenth time. Published 13.12.2024, at 19.11 Updated 13.12.2024, at 19.24
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