ME: Responses after the historical success of Slovak handball players: Tears came to us – Šport7.sk

Košice, January 15 (TASR) – Huge joy, euphoria, but also tears in the eyes accompanied the emotions of Slovak handball players after the victory over Lithuania at 31:26. In their second match in the basic F-group of the European Championships in Košice, they achieved the historically first victory of the Slovak team at the continental championship. Goalkeepers Marián Žernovič and Teodor Paul, as well as 7-goal scorer Tomáš Urban, played a significant role in the commemorative triumph.

The party around Captain Ľubomír Ďuriš will remember Saturday, January 15, 2022 for the rest of his life. In the euphoric atmosphere, which according to the official record consisted of 1504 spectators, they reached a milestone that several predecessors failed to achieve. Before the match with Lithuania, the Slovaks played 10 matches at four European Championships, in which they gained only one point for a draw. They ended the wait for the premiere victory after a concentrated performance.

“In the first half we tried to cover the breaks of the Lithuanians in the first and second wave. We did it. We stood very well in the defense, the cooperation with the goalkeeper was also excellent. This was important for us to go ahead in the second half. We had a phase in which we failed after a loss or goal. But then it was important that we increased our lead again and that was crucial. During the match, I told the goalkeeping coach Miloš Puter that the Lithuanians would no longer be as lucky as at the end of the match with Russia. Four minutes before the end, I was already convinced that we would win. ” said coach Peter Kukučka, who experienced the 2006 and 2012 European Championships as a player.

The performances of the goalkeepers were extremely important for the victory of the Slovak team. Marián Žernovič was an extraordinary obstacle in the end of the Lithuanians, especially in the first half, and his performance was later followed by Teodor Paul. “Žernovič had a phase in the first half in which he had a success rate of over 50 percent, which is a great number in handball. Even when the goalkeepers have over 30 percent, it’s great. Later he got some goals, but they were all” blockbusters “and “Then Paur came and he had 5 goals out of 10 shots, which is also great. Now we have a dilemma that who will start the match with Russia, because both goalkeepers have a form like thunder,” Cuckoo admitted.

Although there were 64 spectators less than Slovakia’s match with Norway, the atmosphere was even more turbulent. The players lured the spectators with a successful introduction, in which they took the lead and the euphoria did not leave the stands even during the rest of the match. The joy of the Slovak national team after the final whistle was huge: “With the horn in the 60th minute, I immediately realized what a great thing we had done. When tears came to my eyes. Emotions now completely break with me. It’s unbelievable. “We will remember such a historic moment. I will remember it for the rest of my life. We can be very satisfied with the performance in today’s match. On the other hand, we stay grounded because another very strong opponent is waiting for us in two days,” said the best scorer of the Slovak team Tomáš Urban. One of the leaders of the Slovak team believed that the Slovaks would follow up on the performance against Lithuania on Monday (18.00) against the Russians. “We need to enjoy every moment on the field. We have to put our lives on the field, so to speak, and put emotions into it so that we can keep up with the favorites. It won’t be different with the Russians. We need to play at least the same thing as today,“said Tomáš Urban.