Lithuania vs Georgia 35:27 (13:9)
Four days ago, Georgia secured one of their biggest wins in history, 32:18, against Lithuania, but the second game in Klaipeda was going to be a different challenge. Goalkeeper Giedrius Morkunas had a superb game, with 14 saves, for a 36.8% saving efficiency, constantly frustrating the Georgia attack. But the difference maker was Gerdas Babarskas who, as one of Lithuania’s most experienced players, scored 11 goals, with the hosts boasting a 22-goal second half outing. The hosts tied their best attacking showing in history in the EHF EURO Qualifiers - 35 goals – against Turkey in January 2007.
GROUP 8
Latvia vs Italy 23:29 (12:14)
Italy had not won two games in a group in this phase of the competition for more than 14 years, but delivered two excellent performances against Latvia in the doubleheader scheduled this week. The Baltic side missed Dainis Kristopans once again and it was clear that they did not have what it took to secure a win. Italy’s goalkeepers, Domenico Ebner and Mate Volarovic, had eight saves each for a 42.11% saving efficiency, which proved crucial for their side.
We had nothing to change in our game. In Finland, we failed defensively. We fought it today
With this result we won the qualifier group so we can be satisfied. Today we were good in every phase of the game: in attack, in defence and in the goal
