France , Serbia and Slovakia recorded wins with huge margins in the 1st leg of the women’s play-offs of the qualifications for the Women’s European Championships in Budapest. The three teams are now very close to secure their places at the championships, which will be held in January.
Israel also posted a big win in the 1st leg, while the matches Portugal – Croatia and Romania – Germany offered two balanced battles.
The winners of 6 pairs will qualify for the European Championships.
Women’s European Championships 2020 -Qualifications, play-offs, Leg 1
Israel – Switzerland 13:6 (2:2, 5:2, 5:0, 1:2)
Israel: Strugo 4, Felix 3, Hochberg 2, Bogachenko 1, Futorian 1, Ben David 1, Mone 1.
Switzerland: Kohli 3, Velikova 2, Carballo 1.
Portugal – Croatia 13:14 (3:2, 4:4, 2:4, 4:4)
Portugal: Braga 5, Reis 2, Nunes 2, Ferreira 1, Lousa 1, Machado 1, Almeida 1.
Croatia: Miljkovic 7, Butic 4, Carevic 2, Lordan 1.
Romania – Germany 14:13 (2:4, 4:4, 5:2, 3:3)
Romania: Szeghalmi 5, Pilica 3, Bonca 2, Toth 1, Laboncz 1, Mihaila 1, Serbanescu 1.
Germany: Stiefel 3, G. Deike 3, I. Dieke 2, Fry 2, Pannasch 1, Podsiadly 1, Krukenberg 1.
Czech Republic – Serbia 6:25 (1:9, 1:6, 3:6, 1:4)
Czech Republic: Kreuzova 2, Votavova 1, Busauerova 1, Hlavata 1, Vomastkova 1.
Serbia: Gluscevic 7, Vukovic 4, Cegar 3, Mandic 3, Jakovljevic 3, Pantovic 2, Corovic 1, Josifovic 1, Ilic 1.
France – Ukraine 20:1 (4:0, 6:0, 3:1, 7:0)
France: Guillet 6, Daule 4, Bachelier 3, Battu 3, Clerc 2, Deschampt 1, Dhalluin 1.
Ukraine: Aboimova 1.
Slovakia – Turkey 19:9 (5:4, 5:1, 5:1, 4:3)
Slovakia: Stankovianska 4, Kurucova 3, Kovacikova 2, Junasova 2, Peckova 2, Kolarova 2, Sedlakova 1, garancovska 1, Katlovska 1, Kissova 1.
Turkey: Kus 3, Burali 3, Cengiz 2, Visha 1.
Serbia needed just 12 minutes to earn a 13:1 lead in the match against the Czech Republic in Prague. The hosts couldn’t recover from the opening shock.
France left no chance to Ukraine (20:1), Slovakia blew away Turkey (19:9). Playing at home, Israel gained a nice 7-goal advantage before the return leg in Switzerland (13:6).
Only two visiting teams managed to beat their respective rivals in the matches of the 1st leg. Besides Serbia, their neighbours the Croats achieved an away win. The Croats visited Lisbon to face Portugal. Тhe hosts were leading by two goals during the 2nd quarter (4:2, 5:3), but Croatia took control after the middle break. The visitors even had a 3-goal advantage in the finish of the game (14:11), but Portugal found the net twice in the last 80 seconds to reduce the gap (13:14).
The encounter between Romania and Germany, played in Foscani (Romania) also saw 27 goals, but the home team came out as a winner. Romania edged out Germany 14:13. Still, the Germans are still the favourites in this duel.
The return leg will be played in two weeks (26 October).
Teams already qualified (ranked 1-6th in Barcelona 2018): Netherlands, Greece, Spain, Hungary, Italy, Russia.
