SPAIN OUT-DEFEND ICELAND TO TAKE BOTH POINTS IN METZ
Both teams threw-off their France 2017 campaign in Metz this evening missing their influential leaders – Spain without Raul Entrerrios and Iceland without Aron Palmarsson.
With the two key players missing, a defensive battled ensued with Spain putting in a strong second-half showing to eventually win 27:21 in front of a sell-out 5,000 crowd in Metz, north-east France
Spain took five minutes to score their first goal against an Iceland side missing global handball star Aron Palmarsson but managed to overcome their opponents in Metz and make it five wins in their last five meetings.
After Eduardo Gurbindo Martinez’s strike the score was 1:1 in what was a precursor to a solid defensive battle between two of Europe’s top men’s teams.
The 12:10 half-time score in favour of Iceland was mainly thanks to goalkeeper Bjorgvin Gustavsson in the Iceland goal – but an influence at both ends of the court. His full-court score in the 20th minute put his side 9:6 up and his two penalty saves ensured that Spain kept to single figures until the last minute of the half.
Whatever new coach Jordi Ribera said to his Spanish side at half-time worked wonders as Spain went on the offensive and the second team timeout from Iceland in the 40th minute was needed as Geir Sveinsson’s side found themselves 16:15 down as Spanish left-back Joan Canellas started to orchestrate his sides’ eventual victory.
Spain then missed an opportunity to go further ahead with an open goal, but after a long period without either team scoring, Iceland took their third time out following Spain going two ahead (17:15).
With both teams shooting with around 50% accuracy throughout the game, it was going to be hard for Iceland to come back and their frustration was evident when Sveinsson himself received a yellow card on the sideline late on.
Joan CANELLAS (ESP), left back: “During the first half, the Icelandic goalkeeper stopped many goals so we felt nervous. But fortunately the second half was different and our goalkeeper was very good. They are very aggressive and play good – they are a dangerous team.”
Bjorgvin Pall GUSTAVSSON (ISL) goalkeeper: “We have to keep it going because we have an important game against Slovenia next. Of course we are not happy because we lost the game but I’m proud of the team.”
Best Player of the Match presented by adidas: Gonzalo PEREZ DE VARGAS (ESP)
