Handball Nati missed a surprise

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Hungary – even without several top players – turns out to be a size too big for our national handball team in Schaffhausen. The Swiss are at least on a par with the World Cup quarter-finalists at times.

The first half is a real shooting competition. Switzerland leads after ten minutes with 9:8. The goalkeepers do not play a role on either side, although the coaches change several times. “We actually defended well, but then we got the goals. It affects morale,” said national coach Michael Suter after the game. Thanks to a flawless performance in the attack, his team is now even 17:14 ahead.

Suter later tries a more offensive 5:1 coverage. “In the beginning it worked very well. But the Hungarians played it smart,” said Suter. The Swiss can therefore never really escape, and even has to go into the break with 19:21.

Immediately after the change of half, Hungary – favored by Swiss mistakes – already took a preliminary decision with three goals in a row. Although national goalkeeper Nikola Portner finds his way in the game better, the Swiss never really catch up and loses with 32:37.

“In the end we throw away two free balls and conced another goal. The difference of five hits is too much. So it’s a disappointment,” says Suter. “Of course we also have to respect how well the Hungarians played today, very precisely and with a lot of attack variety.” Playmaker Maté Lekai, who converts 14 of his 16 throws, excels among the guests.

The best Swiss goalscorer is Lenny Rubin with eight goals ahead of Andy Schmid with seven. All in all, Schmid shows one of his weaker performances in the shirt of the national team. There is also the international debut of Felix Aellen to report. The 19-year-old backcourt of BSV Bern can also be registered as a goalscorer.

The Nati will continue on Sunday with the second leg in Hungary (4 p.m.). Even if it doesn’t come as a surprise again: Switzerland should be able to get hold of the EM ticket at the latest in the last two qualifying matches at the end of April against Georgia and Lithuania. (cmu)

Source : Blick