There was more relief than joy to be found among Aalborg Handball’s players when they came out of the dressing room on top of Saturday’s cup horror against Bjerringbro-Silkeborg.
The Northern Jutland had to go into extra time before they could secure a 31-28 victory and thus take a place in Sunday’s final against the eternal rivals from GOG.
For a long time it seemed that Mads Hoxer and company had things under control in front of the almost 10,000 spectators in Boxen in Herning.
– I feel that we should have gone to the break ahead by more than 12-8, because Niklas Landin was absolutely crazy, says the right-back.
Forgot to run
After the break, however, Mikkel Løvkvist also took hold of the BSH goal, and then the mid-judges slowly clawed their way back.
Mads Hoxer in one of many tough duels with Bjerringbro-Silkeborg’s Rasmus Lauge in the cup semi-final.
Photo: Claus Fisker/Ritzau Scanpix
– In the second half, our attacking play became a bit of a mess, and we had to fight through every last chance. I also think that we neglected to run with them, and we lacked those counter goals that could have decided the game in normal time, says Aalborg’s right back.
BSH equalized at 24-24 in the final seconds, and then some mental buttons had to be pressed during the short break before the extended game time.
– We were very frustrated that we had to go into extra time at all, so the break was primarily about getting our heads down a bit and focusing on deciding it in the extra 10 minutes. Fortunately, we did that, says a relieved Mads Hoxer.
Important free throws
He considers himself happy that Mikkel Hansen showed extreme sharpness on his free throws. He scored 11 out of 11 against Bjerringbro-Silkeborg.
Mikkel Hansen scored only two goals in open play, but on the other hand he was hot from the spot.
Photo: Claus Fisker/Ritzau Scanpix
– He is one of the world’s best in that discipline, and it was really important when the match was so close, says Mads Hoxer, who himself contributed with five goals and four assists in the semi-final.
On Sunday at 4 p.m., the final against GOG will take place, which also had to go into extra time to secure victory over Fredericia in the second semi-final.
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg – Aalborg Handball 28-31 efs.
- Santander Cup Final4, semi-final
- Positions along the way: 1-4, 3-6, 6-10, 7-12, 8-12 (pause position), 11-13, 13-15, 14-18, 19-21, 20-21, 24-24, 27-28
- Top scorers, Bjerringbro-Silkeborg: Thomas Solstad 6, Peter Balling 6, Rasmus Lauge 5 (2)
- Goals, Aalborg Handball: Mikkel Hansen 13 (11), Mads Hoxer 5, Thomas Arnoldsen 4 Kristian Bjørnsen 3, Aleks Vlah 2, Simon Hald 2, Sebastian Barthold 2
- Expulsions: Bjerringbro-Silkeborg 2, Aalborg Handball 2
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2024-02-17 18:10:37
#Aalborg #minutes #erase #frustrations