Tough game against Poland took its toll on the Croatian team
European gold remains just a dream for the Croatian handball team, as they lost to Spain 29:32 in the EHF EURO 2016 semi-final match played on January 29, 2016, in Krakow. Croatia started the match looking in great shape, leading by three goals after 22 minutes of play. As Croatian head coach Babić explained in a post–match interwiew, they ran out of steam as a result of a tough match against Poland played two days earlier, and Spain levelled in a few minutes finishing the with an 8:1 run, to go to the dressing rooms leading 18:14.
Croatia has given Spain a good run for the win, but with too many mistakes in crucial moments, and with no help from the goalkeepers, it was Spain who got in front at the end. Croatian fans have crowded the Tauron Arena in Krakow, but their plans for Krakow weekend were changed, as there will be no final for Croatia, ant they will watch the game for the bronze medal on Sunday, January 31, 2016, starting at 3 pm.
In that game, Croatia wil face Norway, which will be a rematch of the game played in the group stage while Spain is playing against Germany in the finals. In the other semi–final game, played before Spain–Croatia game, Germany defeated Norway in a thriller ending 34:33, with extra time needed, as the result after sixty minutes minutes was 27:27.
It is the third consecutive bronze medal match for Croatia in their European handball champhionship history (and 6th in total), winning two and losing three. They also have two silver medals, and this is a first medal game for Norway in the history of this tournament.
Photos: HRS official Facebook page
