In the first match of the qualifying group in Alexandroupoli for the World Cup in Sydney, Serbia defeated the Netherlands 15:11 (5:4, 2:2, 4:4, 4:1) after a hard-fought battle. On Tuesday at 16:30, Serbia plays against the tournament hosts Greece.
Serbia started the game well. Nikola Jakšić immediately scored after a missed penalty, and with two consecutive goals he announced a game that would last until the last two minutes of the first quarter. The defense looked solid, the attack efficient, and after goals by Petar Jakšić, Martinović and Dimitrijević, it was 5:1 for Serbia with 2.40 to go. Then a decline in both parts of the pool followed. The Dutch defeated Glušac three times in less than two minutes, so Serbia’s advantage was only one goal, 5:4.
The Dutch had two man-ups at the beginning of the second quarter, but the Serbian defense neutralized them all. There were no goals until the middle of that period, when Nikola Jakšić masterfully scored a third goal to make it 6:4. However, the Serbian attack hiccupped. The rival took advantage of that and 48 seconds before the big break, Hofmeyer equalized. From the only man-up situation, Pljevančić regained the lead 13 seconds before the end.
The Netherlands attacked with all their might in the third period. They also had an 8:7 lead. Then Mišović replaced Glušac and Lukić equalized from the penalty spot. The game started goal for goal, Martinović woke up completely and with two goals and one by Nikola Jakšić was the most responsible for the 11:10 lead. Martinović continued the series, in the first attack of the last period for 12:10. After a mistake in the attack with a player more, the Dutch got a counterattack to reduce the score, but it was also their last goal in this match. Martinović converted the player more, then Lukić secured the victory and in the most beautiful way, with a goal in an official competition, debutant Krstić put an end to the victory.
Serbia had a player advantage 8-6, Netherlands 10-2. Serbia shot 33-15. Netherlands 31-11. Glušac saved four of 12, Mišović five of eight. It should not be forgotten that Serbia came to Greece with ten players who did not play at the European Championship in Belgrade, while the Dutch had six changes.
Today, in the group where Serbia plays, Greece and Hungary will also meet, while in the other group: Italy – Spain and USA – Croatia will play.
In the second round on Tuesday, the schedule is: Netherlands – Hungary, Spain – Croatia, Greece – Serbia (16:30), USA – Italy.
Serbia – Netherlands 15:11 (5:4, 2:2, 4:4, 4:1)
Referees: Colombo (Italy), Segurana (Italy). Player more: Serbia 8 (6), Netherlands 10 (2). Peterci: Serbia 3 (1), Netherlands 1 (1).
Serbia: Misovic, Pljevancic 1, Stanojevic, Lukic 2, Krstic 1, Milojevic, Trtovic, N. Jaksic 4, Murisic, Gladovic, P. Jaksic 1, Dimitrijevic 1, Glusac, Martinovic 5.
Netherlands: Spyker, Gbadamasi, Rouwenhorst 1, Van der Werwe 2, Van der Weyden 1, Jukic, Te Rile 1, J. Van der Weyden, Van den Burg 3, De Werd, Schnell, Ten Broek 2, Cabort, Hofmeyer 1.
Hungarians are better than Greeks
In the second match in our match, Hungary was better than the hosts Greece 13:12 (3:2, 3:5, 4:3, 3:2). Burian scored the winning goal five seconds before the end with a player more. The most efficient for the Hungarians was Vence Vigvari with four goals, while for the Greeks Papanastasiou and Kilas scored three each.
In the second group, Italy pulled off a small surprise and, with a last-minute turnaround, defeated Spain 12:10 (2:3, 2:1, 3:3, 5:3). Di Soma and Carnesecchi scored three goals each for the winners, while Sanauja was the most effective for the Spanish team with four goals.
Croatia was convincing against America 16:7 (4:1, 5:1, 4:3, 3:2). Fatović and Brubnjak scored three goals each, while Saveljić had the same performance on the American side. Čubranić defended excellently.
