Switzerland beats Croatia and is in the main round

The Swiss handball players reached the main round for the first time in their second European Championship participation. Coach Knut Ove Joa’s team won the decisive game against Croatia 26:22 in Basel.

The Swiss never trailed and moved ahead after 5:5 (12th) to 15:6 (26th). But as in the opening game against the Faroe Islands (28:25), in which they had to tremble after a 19:9 lead, they also let the Croatians come close again.

In the 40th minute, the hosts were only leading by 17:15 in front of 3,826 spectators in the St. Jakobshalle. Things didn’t get any closer as a result, the Swiss kept their nerve. After 19:15 (41st), the lead was always at least three goals, and after 26:20 (59th) there was no longer any doubt about the outcome of the game. Tabea Schmid and Era Baumann each contributed six goals to the victory.

The two teams met in the preliminary round of the Swiss women’s inaugural European Championships two years ago. At that time the game ended 26:26. Since then, the very young Swiss team has developed enormously, which they underlined impressively against the Eastern Europeans. In 2020, the Croatians won European Championship bronze.

The Swiss move on to Vienna for the main round, where they will face Germany on Thursday. The other opponents are Slovenia (Saturday), the Netherlands (Monday) and finally Olympic champion Norway (Wednesday).

Croatia – Switzerland 22:26 (10:16)
Basel. – 3826 viewers. – SR Carmaux/Mursch (FRA).
Punish: 4 times 2 minutes against Croatia, 2 times 2 minutes against Switzerland.
Switzerland: Schüpbach/Kuratli; Wick, Küng (3), Wolff, Frey (1), Schmid (6), Emmenegger (4), Gautschi (5), Baumann (6), Goldmann, Kähr, Bucher, Snedkerud, Bächter (1).
Remarks: Penalties missed: 1:1. (abu/sda)