Experienced Croatia only lead three times against Iceland in the second Group D match of the day as Slavko Goluža’s team defeated their opponents in last three minutes.
In a match up between the silver and bronze medallists from the 2008 Beijing Olympics the strength and energy throughout the game on the playing court were of a very high standard.
The Iceland team proved a lot of trouble for their opponents and had the initiative for almost the entire first half. Croatia could not find the answer to the beautifully organised Icelandic attacks involving great combinations of passing, involving all positions.
Even though Croatia are known for their superb defence it was not as evident in this match up as Thoris Svavarsson’s strike in the 12th minute saw Iceland in the lead by two for the first time in the half (5:7).
Ivano Balić who played despite rumours that he was not at full fitness tried in vain to lead his team-mates to a positive result in the first half despite Manuel Štrlek giving the Croatians some hope with quick counter-attacks.
However, this was just for a few minutes as Iceland continued to score from different positions and found themselves three up in the middle of the first half.
Coach Goluža made on-court charge with Marko Kopljar and Željko Musa managing to bring Croatia back into the game and the teams took the half-time break with just one goal separating them (15:14 to Iceland), and with it, the second half was set up nicely.
Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson continued throwing unstoppable shots from his left wing position and while Croatia was trying to turn the result around, mistakes in their attack was inevitable.
Experienced Igor Vori who plays his club handball in Hamburg had in 46th minute nice opportunity to take his side into the lead as he found himself alone on the six metre line but shot wide.
Nobody could predict how the game would finish at this point as both teams exchanged goals and saves, but in the last 10 minutes Mirko Alilović and Bjorgvin Pall Gustavsson decide the result.
First, the Croatian ‘keeper saved a seven metre shot and less then a minute later Gustavsson, who yesterday (Sunday 15 January) was still in bed with fever stopped Ivan Čupić’s shot.
With just two minutes remaining, Denis Buntič scored for the third Croatian lead in the game (before in lead with 2:1 and 5:4) and for the fairy tale conclusion for Croatian fans Mirko Alilović saved his 15th shot in the game and left Čupić to secure the win with a seven metre shot 50 seconds before the end followed by Štrlek’s late strike.
Best Player Award – Croatia: Manuel Štrlek
Best Player Award – Iceland: Alexander Petersson
CROATIA
Blaženko LACKOVIĆ, Croatia left back:
"It is important that we broke the ice on this tournament and the first game is always a tough one. It was nothing special to watch but I have to congratulate the whole team as we showed character and stamina. We found out our weakest points today and will do some things better in the coming games."
Slavko Goluža, Croatia coach:
"I must congratulate my players for their fight today. We have been training hard for the last few weeks, doing many things and now it has paid off. Our opponents today are very strong and I warned my team that about Iceland even without Olafur Stefansson.
“Why did we not perform on such a high level? Because the opponents were really great."
ICELAND
Gudmundur Gudmundsson, Iceland coach:
"The game was a fair and good one. We played food handball where we lost to a very good team and I am happy with the performance, but not the result. Our attacks were ok most of the time but in last seven minutes we made some mistakes in clear shots, which cost us at least a point."
Aron Palmarson, Iceland centre back:
”I am very disappointed because we lost the game where we were leading for 50 minutes. Unfortunately they were stronger than us in the last 10 minutes."
