Without the top scorer Katarina Pandza, who tested positive, it was 19:31 (6:14) in the last group game on Monday in Torrevieja. The promotion to the main round starting on Thursday was already certain.
“The team has once again shown character. I think it would have been even more inside,” said interim coach Helfried Müller. He was not satisfied with the yield in the first half, but in the second half there was a strong improvement. Due to the many failures, it becomes more difficult from game to game, this also applies to the main round, in which Brazil, Croatia and Japan are waiting. “It is not that easy to replace the top performers. But the team will always fight and work.”
Before the match against vice world champion Spain, they learned of the recent corona findings. “We are speechless,” said Captain Patricia Kovacs in view of the continued growth of the cluster. Five other players have been in quarantine for a long time. Despite the health and personnel problems, it was unanimously decided to compete against the tournament favorites. As expected, the game against the hosts in the full hall was difficult. “It was an incredible backdrop, it was fun to play. Unfortunately we made too many technical mistakes and discarded too much, that broke our necks in the first half. After so many setbacks, I’m still proud of mine Team, “said Kovacs.
ÖHB President Markus Plazer confirmed before the game that the health of his and the opposing players was the top priority. At the same time, however, he referred to various interests, and failure to show up could have resulted in penalties. “There is also the sporting interest, the interest of the organizer and also the interest of Austria. We were and are in an exchange with the IHF and our team doctor on all topics,” explained the head of the association.
Because Sarah Draguljic was nominated before the Pandza case, interim coach Helfried Müller again only had twelve players against Spain. “There are fewer and fewer, it always hits those who played well in the last game,” regretted Müller. But he could be quite satisfied with the performance of his rump troop against Spain.
The four top performers Petra Blazek, Sonja Frey, Stefanie Kaiser and Nina Neidhart as well as team boss Herbert Müller and an assistant coach had already failed before the win against China. For the ultimately lost duel with Argentina then Josefine Huber.
In the main round, however, there could be more than a dozen again – assuming no further new infections. Because you have the concession from the organizer and the world association that a freestyle from the team hotel quarantine is possible in the coming days, according to the ÖHB. Herbert Müller, who suffers from symptoms, is in quarantine in the southern part of the city. It is questionable whether he will be able to follow suit.
Source: Nachrichten
