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Olympic Handball Recaps: 27 July (Day 8)

Men's Handball Preliminary / Group A

CRO vs. USA

SMAJLAGIC, CAVAR Blaze Croatia to Victory

Croatia remained tied atop the Group A standings with a 35-27 win over the United States, and maintained its undefeated record at the Georgia World Congress Center Saturday night. Croatia (3-0) took commanding lead of the match early, posting an 11-3 advantage, scoring the most points in a single game thus far in the tournament, and never looked back en route to the victory.

The high-scoring affair provided the most total goals, 62, in Atlanta. Much of the scoring was done by the Croatian pair of leftwing Irfan SMAJLAGIC and the Olympic tournament's leading scorer centerback Patrik CAVAR, who notched 11 and 10 points, respectively. The two each tallied six first-half goals to help Croatia gain a commanding half-time advantage of 20-9.

A newcomer to the international scene, Croatia placed second in the 1995 World Championships and looks to capture its first medal in Olympic competition this year. As a team, they shot 76.9 percent in the first half and 64.81 in the contest.

Rightwing Derek BROWN topped the list of American scorers with eight goals, as the USA (0-3) actually outscored Croatia, 18-15 in the second half. However, the USA was hampered by several penalties and turnovers and the loss of three of its top players in the second half, two by injury and one by expulsion.

Both teams return to action on Monday, when Croatia plays Russia, and the U.S. meets Switzerland.

Final Score: CRO 35, USA 27.

Men's Handball Preliminary / Group B

FRA vs. BRA

Another High-Scoring Affair for the French

Reigning world champion and gold-medal favorite France took another step toward winning its first Olympic handball crown, as it defeated Brazil, 37-23, on Saturday night at the Georgia World Congress Center. France, which won its only other medal (a bronze) at the 1992 Games, scored first and never trailed.

France, tied with Egypt for the Pool B lead each with 3-0 records, was paced by the efforts of pivot Frederic VOLLE, who tallied the most points (14) in a 1996 tournament game thus far. The match was close early, but France scored a goal with 1 second left on the clock to secure a 16-10 half-time lead. France had total control of every phase of the match in the first half, shooting 70 percent and collecting six steals, four blocks against only four turnovers.

As dominant as they were in the first half, France was even more so in the second. After the break, the French really turned on the burners, outscoring Brazil, 21-13. A high-scoring team, France owns two of the three highest goal outputs in Atlanta, having matched their previous high of 33 points with just under 8 minutes still remaining on the clock.

VOLLE's explosive scoring and centerback Jackson RICHARDSON's passing helped push the French past the less experienced Brazilians. VOLLE capped off an outstanding all-around performance by shooting 77.77 percent, and tallying two assists, two blocks and two steals. RICHARDSON finished with three assists and five steals. In goal, Bruno MARTINI and Yohan DELATTRE teamed to notch 18 saves. As a squad, France collected 20 assists, nine steals, seven blocks, and only 12 turnovers, while shooting 72.54 percent from the field.

Brazil (0-3) had most of their bright moments early in the contest and was never in the match after halftime, closing only to within seven goals. Pivot Milton PELISSARI led Brazil in scoring with seven goals.

The highlight matchup in the group B pool takes place on Monday when Egypt and France, both undefeated, square off at 10:00. Brazil looks to keep its slim medal hopes alive when it plays Spain at 19:00.

Final Score: FRA 37, BRA 23.


Men's Handball/Group A Preliminary

RUS vs. SWE

Last-Minute Stand Wins it for Sweden

In what is likely to be the premier battle of the tournament's pool play round, Sweden topped the Russian Federation, 22-20, to drop the Russians from the ranks of the undefeated Saturday afternoon at the Georgia World Congress Center. Sweden and Croatia are the only two Group A teams yet to lose and will battle on the tournament's final day.

Neither team led the tight match by more than two goals until Sweden took a 3-goal lead late in the second half. At halftime, the score was tied at 11-all.

Russia battled back to tie the contest at 20-all with 5:20 remaining in the game, but Sweden allowed no more goals. To ice the game, Sweden's centerback Stefan LOFGREN scored with 9 seconds remaining to post the final score.

Sweden, which finished third in the most recent world championships, was led by centerback Magnus ANDERSSON with five goals. The tournament's top assist-per-game producer, centerback Staffan OLSSON, had four assists along with two blocks for Sweden. As a team, Sweden shot 61.1 percent for the match.

As two-time defending Olympic champions, Russia is attempting to become the first team to repeat three consecutive times as gold medalists. Centerback Valeri GOPIN and pivot Dmitri TORGOVANOV led the attack for Russia with five goals apiece. Although they are the team leaders in offense during the tournament, Russia put together its worst shooting performance, posting a 54.1 scoring efficiency.

Punctuated with outstanding goaltending from both teams, Sweden's Mats OLSSON, the oldest player in Olympic handball competition at 37, paced the staunch defensive stance for Sweden with six saves, while the team guarded the net well collecting five blocks.

In a penalty-marred bout where both squads jockeyed for position atop the Group A standings, nine 2-minute suspensions were issued.

When men's action resumes 29 July, Sweden will take on Kuwait and Russia will play Croatia.

Final Score: SWE 22, RUS 20

"It (the victory) was really important, since we lost to the Russians in the European championships," said Sweden's Andreas LARSSON. "They used to have a little edge on us...I think we've shown we are here to win the gold medal."


Men's Handball/Pool B Preliminary

GER vs. EGY

Surprising Egyptians Remain Undefeated

Although they were not considered a strong medal contender in Atlanta, the Egyptian handball team held off Germany, 24-22, and remained undefeated in Saturday afternoon action at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Strong goaltending by both Egypt and Germany highlighted the action, as each team provided many spectacular saves. Egypt collected 16 saves in the match, Germany 12. Egypt, in charge from early in the match, took the lead for good at 4-3 and went on to own a 11-9 advantage at halftime.

Germany battled fiercely throughout the contest, but Egypt matched them goal for goal. Egypt led by as many as six goals, but Germany closed the gap to 22-21 with 2:04 remaining. Staying within one goal for the final 2 minutes, Germany had a chance to tie the match with their final possession, but an Egyptian steal and fast-break score iced the contest. Egypt's high scorer was leftback Ahmed EL ATTAR, while rightback Martin SCHWALB led Germany with six goals.

Egypt's strongest test will come 29 July against the reigning world champions, France. Germany, still battling for a spot in the medal round, will play Algeria.

Final Score: EGY 24, GER 22.


Men's Handball/Pool B Preliminary Match

ESP vs. ALG

Defensive Match Gives Spain Victory

A low scoring, defensive struggle between Spain and Algeria provided one of the most strategic contests of the tournament in Saturday's action at the Georgia World Congress Center. The Spaniards came out victorious with the 20-14 win, after only leading at half-time, 12-5. The final score provided the fewest total goals in a game thus far during the tournament.

The contest was punctuated with several steals, nine total, but against only 24 turnovers. Spain's goalie, Jaume FORT, collected 17 saves in the winning effort, as the Spanish also registered five blocks. As a team, Algeria only mustered a 31.8 shooting percentage.

Yet, Spain also was very effective on offense, scoring 20 goals on 28 shots for a 71.4 efficiency. After the first half, they had posted a 92.3 percentage. Leading the way was leftwing Rafael GUIJOSA, who tallied a game-high five goals.

With the victory, Spain moves to 2-1, while Algeria drops to 0-3. Spain next meets Brazil on Monday at 19:00 and Algeria faces Germany the same day at 14:30.

Final Score: ESP 20, ALG 14.

Men's Handball/ Pool A Preliminary Match

SUI vs. KUW

Balanced Scoring leads Swiss to First Win

After two close losses, the Swiss finally prevailed winning, 33-16, over Kuwait in a pool A match at the Georgia World Congress Center on Saturday afternoon. Switzerland received goals from 11 players, with pivot Rene BARTH and leftwing Daniel SPENGLER tying for team-high honors with six apiece.

At the half, Switzerland had established control of the match, leading 18-8. And they poured it on in the second stanza as Kuwait could never muster a strong scoring presence. The top Kuwaiti scorer was rightback Mishal ALALI, who tallied 4 points, while as a team, they only shot 32.7 percent.

Switzerland shot 62.3 percent for the game and was at 72 percent at the break. Yet, they also were strong on defense as they collected five blocks and three steals. Swiss goalkeeper, Rolf DOBLER had 15 saves in the match.

Still battling for a medal-round berth, Switzerland moved to 1-2, while Kuwait fell to 0-3. Next up for both teams will be Monday matches against the United States at 20:45 and Sweden at 11:45, respectively.

Final Score: SUI 33, KUW 16.

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department.


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The volunteer staff of the 1996 Olympic Games totaled 50,152. They worked an estimated 850,000 shifts.