A last-minute winner from Adam Wisniewski gave Poland the narrowest 26-25 victory over fierce rivals Russia in another thrilling finale at the World’s Men Handball championships on Tuesday.
It was only the second time in the whole match that the Poles had been in the lead but it proved decisive.
The result could go a long way to deciding who qualifies for the last 16 from Group D and who goes home early.
Four teams will progress from each group, Russia came into the match in third place and Poland in fourth, both with three points from two games.
However, the defeat leaves Russia perilously placed as Argentina moved above them with a 32-20 victory against Saudi Arabia also on Tuesday night.
The Russians still have to play a strong Denmark team.
It had all looked so promising for the Russians at the beginning who started much the quickest and were 5-1 up by the ninth minute against a ponderous Poland side, with balding lookalikes, Konstantin Igropulo and Timur Dibirov causing havoc on the wings and playmaker Pavel Atman controlling things through the centre.
However, Poland finally woke up to the challenge and by the fifteenth minute had pulled level at 6-6, thanks to two goals from Andrzej Rojewski, a former German youth player who has opted to play for the Polish national side.
The rest of the half was nip and tuck with the Russian taking the slenderest of leads, 13-12, into the break.
After seven minutes of the second half, Poland took the lead for the first time in the match, 17-16, with a smart goal from Rojewski.
It always looked like it was heading towards a close and tense finish and so it proved.
The rattled Russians even began arguing among themselves but three fine saves from goalkeeper Vadim Bogdanov inspired the rest of the team and they looked to be in with a chance of winning until Wisniewski’s dramatic, late intervention.
Meanwhile, Egypt pulled off a fine 27-24 victory over the Czech Republic in Group C.
Also playing on Tuesday were traditional heavyweights France, who were due to face Iceland, while a mouthwatering clash was on the cards between Germany and Denmark, the top two teams in Group D before the start of play.
Source: AFP