Group A – Palace of Culture and Sport, Veliko Tarnovo
Turkey – Kosovo 25:24 (13:12)
Turkey started with win at at IHF Men's Emerging Nations Championship
Turkish team has begun to win at IHF Men's Emerging Nations Championship. In a match of Group A of
the tournament, Turkey defeated the team of Kosovo with 25:24 (13:12).
The two teams were considered favorites in the group and justified the expectations after an equal
match. The first half-time started a goal for goal, with the Turks gradually gaining a lead - first from 2
goals at 8:6, and then with 3 at 12:9. The Kosovo team, however, raised the turn and with a nice game
managed to reduce the score to only the goal of the half-time - 13:12 for Turkey.
In the second half-time the "red" in this game showed more efficiency in defense and attack to increase
their lead to 5 goals. The Turks allowed a new release in their ranks, benefiting from the "White". Thus,
three minutes before the end of the game, Kosovo equalized - 23:23. There followed dramatic minutes
in which Turkey led with 25:24, but the Kosovars had an assault. Turkey goalkeeper Coskun Goktepe,
however, reflected the final shot, and was then selected for best player.
The best scorer for the winners scored Ramazan Done - 7 goals. The best scorer for Kosovo was left wing
Oltion Beshiri with 5 goals.
Okan Halay, coach of Turkey: We were well prepared for the tournament, but we had very few friendly
games and I think that's what happened today. We played badly but we won. I congratulate the boys for
the victory, as well as those of Kosovo for the good game. Our goal in this tournament is to finish in one
of the top three places and I think we can do it.
Ramadan Done, pivot of Turkey: We made some mistakes, we had gaps in an attack that affects our
game. We were leading 5-6 goals, but unfortunately we could not keep our lead. Always the first games
are very difficult and I think we will be getting better every time we fight. Tomorrow we will perform
better.
Taip Ramadani, head coach of Kosovo: We have played many times against Turkey and we know what
they are. Today we missed a lot of penalties - 4 and we were punished for that. We also dropped a few 6meter shooters. I think we played at their level, but unfortunately we did not. We are disappointed with
the loss.
Oltion Beshiri, left wing of Kosovo: I agree with our coach. We missed many things. That's handball.
Turkey was better in some respects than we did, but of course we showed the character because we lost
5 goals and returned to the match. We played well and we have to go up high with heads because we
have more matches to come. Maybe we will meet again with Turkey in the elimination phase.
Albania – Ireland 33:50 (18:25)
Ireland has convincingly beat Albania in Veliko Tarnovo
Ireland has made a remarkable victory in its first match in Group A of IHF Men's Emerging Nations
Championship - 50:33 (25:18) against Albania. The islanders were the better team during all the 60
minutes of the match and deservedly came to the definite success in Veliko Tarnovo.
From the first signal, the Irish began to accumulate a lead, which was 7 goals - 25:18. In the second part,
the Irish did not drop their game and deservedly won their first points in the IHF Men's Emerging
Nations Championship.
Christopher Bregazzi scored 13 goals for the winners, and Joshua Krohn Grace, who was chosen for the
best player, scored more 11 goals. For team of Albania best Igli Shingjni with 10 goals.
Tomorrow Ireland meets Kosovo from 2 pm and two hours later is the other match between Turkey and
Albania.
Roman Abramenko, head coach of Ireland: "I have never seen such a thing. 50 goals in a match. I've
been playing for 20 years, for the first time I've seen something like this. I'm a bit disappointed because
we build our game on defense, and today we have many goals. In this match our attackers were better
than those of the opponent. And it will not happen tomorrow and the other day. That's why I'd rather
have won at 20:14, for example. The teams of Turkey and Kosovo are very good, but we will fight. We'll
be like wars".
Joshua Krohn Grace, left wing of Ireland: "A very quick match, many goals. I think we could have
imagined a better defense, but overall a very good victory for us. Awaiting heavy matches in the coming
days, perhaps more equal. We must do our best to achieve our goals. Of course, we're aiming first, but
the second will be good for us".
Lulzim Ismaili, head coach of Albania: "This is our first international game. The boys are younger and we
did not have normal training. We did not have a single match before this tournament to see what we can
do. We gathered players from Greece, Italy and Germany, so we did not have much time to prepare
better. I hope that in the next games we will perform better"
Odisea Casa, right back of Albania: "This match was a test for us because we have gathered players from
all over Albania and we had little time to prepare. We are not expected to win the tournament, but we
want to show everyone that Albanian handball is developing and developing".
Group B – Palace of Culture and Sport, Veliko Tarnovo
Luxembourg – Georgia 35:29 (18:14)
Luxembourg lied Georgia in Veliko Tarnovo
The Luxembourg team beat Georgia with 35:29 in its first match in Group D at IHF Men's Emerging
Nations Championship. In Veliko Tarnovo, the team of the Dukes led the match all the time, and the
Georgians did not give up and maintained the team.
The more experienced handball players in Luxembourg led to the start and the result was 18:14. After
the half-time, the Georgians narrowed their lead to 20:21, but the higher class was for the Luxembourg
team, which deservedly came to victory.
The best scorer for the winners was Martin Muller with 10 goals, and Armin Zekan added 6 goals. For
the Georgians Giorgi Tskhovrebadze and Teimuraz Orjonikidze were the most successful with 6 goals.
Adrian Stot, head coach of Luxembourg: "I'm happy with the victory. We did not know what to expect of
the Georgians. We played recently with them but we did not know who their players would be now. It
was a blind match for us, but the players made a big difference and won with patience. Martin Muller
and Armin Zekan decided the game for us. We want to win the group, but we should not underestimate
the other teams"
Armin Zekan, right back of Luxembourg: "It was a heavy game. We played against Georgia in December,
but this is a young team. But we want the first place in the group and we had to win. I'm glad we did.
Congratulations to my teammates, but we have more games that will be heavy. Our goal is to finish at
one of the top three places in the group".
Bekari Orjonikidze, head coach of Georgia: "We are a very young team who is preparing for the World
Cup in Tbilisi in 2019. I am pleased with how we struggled today, but we have a lot to do. Especially on
my mistakes. We have more games to win. Our goal is to qualify for the next phase".
Alexander Khandoishvili, goalkeeper of Georgia: "We are not happy because we lost. Still, we got a nice
match, we got together and think we're going out of the group. Our goal is to get as far as possible. I do
not know where we will get because we have a young team. But we will not surrender".
Malta – Great Britain 18:24 (8:12)
Great Britain with first victory in Veliko Tarnovo
The team of Great Britain began with win their participation in Group D of IHF Men's Emerging Nations
Championship. The British played a definitely Maltese team with 24:18 (12:8) and together with
Luxembourg they came to the top of the group.
The boys from the Island left no doubt in their higher class, and they greeted a group of nearly 20
people who came to support them. The beginning of the match was equal, but as early as the rest, the
Brits gained a comfortable lead of 4 goals ahead - 12:8.
After the break, the British continued their better game and deservedly won their first points in the
tournament. Tomorrow at 18:00 Great Britain plays against Georgia and two hours later is the other
match between Luxembourg and Malta.
Ricardo Vasconcelos, coach of Great Britain: "It's always nice to win but I'm not too happy with our
game. I think we can do better. But the first game is always a problem because it is a debut for some of
our boys in an international game, so it is expected that in the first half we were a bit nervous. Then we
controlled things. We are pleased with the victory. Our main goal here in the tournament is to develop,
to prepare our team in the long run".
Brian Negrete Lindsay, left wing of Great Britain: "We played this game as a team and this is the most
important thing. Two more difficult games are coming, but we are ready. I think we can go through the
group phase and then see what happens. I think we have chances for one of the top three places in the
tournament. We will play a game for a match".
Joseph Attard, head coach of Malta: "It was a heavy game for both teams, but unfortunately we made a
lot of mistakes, including technically. I think there was a lot of tension in our game that cost us a lot. I
was looking at the match between Luxembourg and Georgia, they are serious teams and we have to play
at our limit to make it difficult. But I do not want my team to play scared. We will give ourselves
everything".
Philip Mifsud, center back of Malta: "Overall, I am pleased with our performance, but the problem was
that in many situations we lacked concentration. This is still a valuable experience for us and we will
continue in the same way. I want to especially thank everyone for the organization. I know our next
games will be very difficult, but we'll see what we can get from them. It will be important to gain further
experience".
Group C – Orlovetz Hall, Gabrovo
Cyprus – Bulgaria 25:22 (11:12)
In a infarct match Bulgaria lost to Cyprus
In a match from Group CIHF Men's Emerging Nations Championship in "Orlovetz Hall" in Gabrovo, the
national teams of Bulgaria and Cyprus played an extremely controversial game that was going goalround all the time. Despite the warm support of the audience, Bulgaria lost with 22:25 (12:11), and in
the last 2 minutes Cyprus reached the advance, which did not miss the end to congratulate the success.
In the first half the leadership in the result changed constantly, as the Bulgarians withdrew with one goal
advance - 12:11. In the second part the situation on the field did not change and the spectators
witnessed a high level handball. By 25th minutes, the score was 20:20 and Cypriot players showed the
psyche in the remaining minutes until the end and used every mistake to turn it into an asset.
The best scorer for Bulgaria was Svetlin Dimitrov, who scored 11 goals and was determined to be the
most valuable player. Cypriot Julio Argirou also finished with 11 goals and was awarded from BHF with a
placket for MVP.
Tomorrow at 18.00 again in Gabrovo Bulgaria plays with Azerbaijan, and two hours later Cyprus will
argue with Andorra in the second matches of Group C.
Hristo Yordanov, coach of Bulgaria: "We had our chances to win, but the tension and the success of the
audience had a negative impact on us. What's more unpleasant than losing is that two of our main
riders, who we count on, have been injured. Zlatan Petrov and Nikolay Neychev will not participate at
least in the next two games, and I hope they will be in line for the final eliminations after June 15th. We
wanted to win, but luck was not on our side. Let's hope in the next meetings we can show the real face of
our team".
Apostolos Michail, coach of Cyprus: "Discipline. This is the word with which we defeated Bulgaria. We
knew who we were playing with and what audience. I have always talked, especially during the second
half, to be disciplined and not to make mistakes. I'm glad the players heard me and we got to
heartbreak. Bulgaria is a very good team. I'm not saying it because we are on your territory. The
tournament organization also. I wish them success in the next games".
Andora – Azerbaijan 23:31 (6:15)
Azerbaijan with an easy victory over Andorra
Azerbaijan's team achieved an expected victory over Andorra in a match from Group C of IHF Men's
Emerging Nations Championship. The duel was played in "Orlovets Hall" in Gabrovo, only in the middle
of the second half Azerbaijan lowered the pace and allowed Andorra to narrow the gap to 5 goals. The
first half finished at 15:6 and the match at 31:23.
The best player for Andorra was Aytur Pusukal, who scored 6 goals, and for the winners of Azerbajdan a
plaque from BHF received Maxim Butenko, who scored 10 goals.
Hikmet Abdullaev, coach of Azerbaijan: "We arrived yesterday in Bulgaria and we have not yet
acclimated. We did just one workout this morning, which had a tonic character. I am pleased with the
presentation of my team. We relaxed in the second half, but I'm giving it to the fatigue and the short
time we had before the first game".
David Aguilar, Senior Coach of Andorra: "Azerbaijan is a very good team. We tried in the second part to
make the game even, but it did not work. I congratulate the competitor for the fair play and wish them
success in the next tournament meetings".
Group D – Orlovetz Hall, Gabrovo
Armenia – Moldova 13:46 (7:20)
Moldova defeated Armenia in Group D at IHF Men's Emerging Nations Championship
The Moldavian team started with win their participation in IHF Men's Emerging Nations Championship
after that in their first game in Group D defeating Armenia with 46:13 (20:7)
In both half-times the Moldavians played very steadfastly in defense and attack and deservedly achieved
their win.
The best player from team of Armenia was chosen Sargsyan Rafik, who scored 5 goals, and the best
player for Moldavian team was Dinu Untu, who finished 10 goals. They received special souvenirs from
BFH.
Barseghyan Ararat - head coach of Armenia: Definitely a tough game for us. Moldova are a very good
team. We have been very difficult throughout the game but we are a young team and our participation
in such tournaments can make us stronger as a team in our future games.
Tadevosyan Tigran - right back of Armenia: After such a match, there is nothing to comment on.
Handball in Armenia is amateur and we will still be working for his progressive. The good thing is that
this sport is practiced in many places in our country, and maybe in time to be competitive with other
European teams.
Nikolae Visitiu - head-coach of Moldova: We played the way I wanted. First match, we started with
victory, which was our goal. If the Armenians played poorly, I can not comment on it, that's their
problem. I am interested in the presentation of our team and I am pleased to start with.
Vladislav Bulgar - left back of Moldova: We were stable in defense. We also were very good in attack. We
had a good speed at the ball and we deserved to win. Let's play so concentrated in our remaining
meetings until the end of the championship.
China – Faroe Islands 23:30 (7:15)
Faroe Islands defeated China hard in their first at IHF Men's Emerging Nations Championship
The spectators in "Orlovets" hall in Gabrovo witnessed a very interesting game in Group D between the
Faroe Islands and China. The favorites to win the tournament The Faroe Islands have shown exceptional
tactical discipline and motivation from the first minute to the end. China also gave everything but the
difference in class was visible. It is worth mentioning China's national team and the struggle for each
ball. The half-time was 15:7, and after winning with 30:23 the Faroe Islands and Moldova will have a
success in Group D on the first day of the championship.
For the best player in the Chinese team I chose Zhen Liu. And from the team of the Faroe Islands team
with a special BHF plaque was the goalkeeper Jan Pauli Toft Johannesen.
Qiao Chen, head coach of China: "We are a very young team and we are yet to be built. Faroe Islands are
a very strong team and deservedly won. We wish them success".
Changzhen Ma, pivot of China: "Definitely a tough game. We gave ourselves everything but the rival beat
us deservedly. I hope in the next games to show a better game and to be ranked ahead of the
tournament".
Jeppe Borch, head coach of the Faroe Islands: "We did not know China and their game and at times it
made it hard for us. There is more work to do to improve our game, and that will tell the guys after the
game. Every first tournament match is difficult and I'm glad we start with a win in Gabrovo. I want to
congratulate the hosts for the good organization of the tournament".
Trondour Arge, left back of the Faroe Islands: "It was hard against a rival we did not know. What we
were sure about China was going to get out was getting, but we were well prepared and not surprise,. I
hope in the next games to show even better handball".