(25 July 1996; Day 2)
Spain's exciting win over Germany highlighted the second day of the preliminary round of men's handball at the Olympic Games.
In a game they led most of the way, the Spanish needed two scores in the final minute to overcome a tough German team by a 22-20 score. Germany tied it at 18-18 with just more than 6 minutes remaining, and the two teams traded goals over the next 5 minutes before Spain went on the attack in the closing 60 seconds.
Jesus OLALLA and Mateo GARRALDA each scored four goals for Spain, while Volker ZERBE led Germany with six goals. The Germans outshot Spain 46-36, but Spanish keeper Jaume FORTE responded with 15 saves in a clutch performance.
"We played the last 2 minutes in attack and moved the ball," said GARRALDA. "We flowed much better after that."
In a full day of pool play action on Thursday, Croatia overcame an early deficit to defeat Kuwait 31-22. Patrik CAVAR hit double figures with 10 goals, while Bozidar JOVIC chipped in with seven. Salah ALMARZOUQ led Kuwait with six goals.
As expected, France handled Algeria 33-22 in a Pool B matchup, using a 4-0 run to begin the second half. Algeria outshot France 47-44, but the French hit an incredible 75 percent of their shots, with Stephane STOECKLIN connecting on nine of 13, and four other players making 80 percent or more of their tries.
Sweden overpowered Switzerland 26-19 in Thursday's third match to stay undefeated at 2-0. Seven players scored multiple goals for Sweden, with Erik HAJAS finding the net six times. Swiss star Mark BAUMGARTNER led his team with five goals.
Sweden's next opponent, Russia, won big over an outmanned United States team by a 31-16 score. The Russians bolted to an early 11-3 lead and only increased it in a fast-paced second half, connecting on eight fast break points for the match. "We were worried about their fast break coming in," said the United States' Steven PENN. The current European champion Russian team seems primed for a Saturday matchup against Sweden.
"Today's game was good preparation for our next game in pool play," said Russian coach Vladimir MAXIMOV.
Finally, Egypt, now at 2-0 after two days, used an 8-0 run early in the game to get past Brazil 31-20. Brazil scored four straight to end the first half to make it close, but Egypt stifled the rally with a 4-1 run of its own. Ahmed EL ATTAR and Amero EL GEIOUSHY had two goals each in the decisive run. Both ended the match with five goals.
With a rest day on Friday, all of the top teams are performing as expected. Russia, Croatia and Sweden sit atop Group A, all with 2-0 marks, while France and Egypt pace Group B at 2-0, with Spain and Germany still in that group at 1-1. The top matchups slated for Saturday include Russia vs. Sweden in Group A, and Germany vs. Egypt in Group B.
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Brett Ayers.
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