January 20, 2020 – The Croatia handball team met the Czech Republic for the third game of the second round of the European Championship.
Croatia secured the semifinal of the Euros on Saturday after a thriller against Germany, though every game was still crucial to determine their place in the group.
Luka Cindric, Croatia’s best player in this championship, did not play against the Czech Republic due to a wrist injury. It is not yet known if he will play against Spain, but should be ready for the semifinal match.
Kasparek scored the first goal of the match in the 2nd minute, though Matej Hrstic returned on the other side for 1:1.
Marko Mamic scores a great goal for 2:1.
In the 6th minute, Sarac scored to put Croatia in the lead, though the Czech Republic came back to equalize.
Mamic scored his second goal of the game in the 8th minute.
Asanin made his first save of the game in the 9th minute, and Croatia went up by two goals for 5:3.
The Czech Republic scored a quick two goals in the 11th minute to equalize.
The Czech Republic retook the lead in the 14th minute, though Horak came back to equalize.
In the 17th minute, Mandic used a counter-attack to equalize. Neither team had a significant advantage yet.
In the 19th minute, Hrstic found Maric, who scored Croatia’s 8th goal of the game.
In the 20th minute, Sarac put Croatia back in the lead, and in the 23rd minute, Croatia was up by two goals.
Mamić scored his third goal of the match and Croatia went into halftime up 11:9.
Croatia opened the second half with a goal by Mandic for 12:9 in the 32nd minute.
Brozovic scored for 13:9 in the 36th minute.
The Czech Republic reduced the score to 13:12 in the 40th minute, though Mamic made it 14:12 seconds later.
Maric scored for 15:13 in the 42nd minute, and Stepancic scored his first goal of the game in the 44th minute for 16:14.
Duvnjak scored a 7-meter shot for 17:16 in the 46th minute.
Matanovic scored for 18:17 in the 49th minute, and Mamic scored his fifth goal of the game in the 50th minute for 19:17.
Matanovic scored his second goal of the game for 20:18 with eight minutes to go.
Stepancic scored his second goal of the game for 21:19 in the 55th minute.
With seconds to go in the game, Stepancic scored the winning goal of the game. Croatia won 22:21!
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