Romania edges Spain in a dramatic EHFEURO2022 clash

In the final seconds of the match, Bianca Bazaliu stunned the Spanish goalkeeper Maddi Aalla with a 12-meter throw, sealing a heavy defeat for Spain with a 28-27 loss to Romania. The Spanish squad, led by coach Jose Ignacio Prades, deserved a more favorable result, given their determined performance throughout the game.

Nevertheless, the sensational defensive effort of the Guerreras and the standout showing by center Silvia Arderius, who demonstrated how to assist teammates at the highest level, could not prevent the setback that complicated Spain’s path to the European semi-finals. This match highlighted Spain as a serious medal contender, even as it underscored the hurdles on the road to the podium. Arderius’s leadership and on-court chemistry with her teammates provided a vivid example of the team’s cohesion, even as the scoreboard favored Romania. [Source: EHF EURO 2022 match reports]

@SilviaArderius! #Warriors #EHFEURO2022 #PlayWithHeart

— RFEBalonmano (@RFEBalonmano) 11 November 2022

The stakes were high as Spain sought a place among the medalists. Jose Ignacio Prades’s squad showed mental resilience, repeatedly forcing Romania to contend with their own pace and pressure, pulling Romania into a contest that tested the Romanians’ stamina and tactical adjustments. Romania’s attention to defensive discipline made it clear that Spain would need a flawless offensive display to prevent a late collapse.

Romania also had to account for the threat posed by Cristina Neagu, the top scorer in European Championships history. From the outset, Spain opted for a precise and aggressive defense to blunt Romania’s scoring flow and to disrupt Neagu’s most dangerous efforts. Yet Romania possessed more than just Neagu; the team’s attack was balanced, with Crina Pintea delivering sustained threat in the pivot position and contributing across the board.

⏰ It all ended in a cruel twist to the drama. Bazaliu’s decisive goal at the horn delivered victory to Romania, a moment captured in post-match highlights.

Arderius and Tchaptchet had conjured moments of magic for Spain, but Neagu’s Romanian side proved resilient until the final whistle. Spain finished with two points, as captured by post-match summaries.

In the first half, Spain attempted to break through with a fresh line of attack, anchored by the young pivot Lysa Tchaptchet, who, at just 19, hinted at a brighter offensive future for the Guerreras. Navarran center Kristians as well as Vipers from Norway provided a counterbalance for Romania, allowing Spain to slow Romania’s rhythm and maintain a watching brief at times. A strong save deed by the young goalkeeper Nicole Wig, who made a series of crucial stops in the first half, helped Spain keep pace and stay within a single goal of the scoreboard at 12-11.

Bianca Bazaliu’s moment of pressure in the midfield, combined with Romania’s clinical finishing, pushed Romania ahead as the match developed. The Spanish defense, praised for its intensity and tenacity, faced a strong Romanian pivot presence, with Pintea creating several equalizing opportunities from close range.

Spain’s defense, a cornerstone of their recent success, worked tirelessly, intercepting and contesting important Romanian possessions. Yet the Romanian team found gaps at crucial moments, and a sequence where the pivot crossed the Spanish line created a two-goal swing. The Spanish could not capitalize on an absence of key turnovers at times, which allowed Romania to stretch their lead and then recalibrate as Spain surged back.

As the match reached the second half, Spain’s effort paid dividends. The Guerreras demonstrated a renewed offensive rhythm, with Arderius’s leadership playing a central role in directing play and facilitating fast-breaks. The defense remained a pillar, pressing hard to force Romania into difficult decisions and hurried shots. The tension escalated as Spain clawed back into contention, closing the gap to a single possession on several occasions.

The drama intensified in the final minutes. An unfortunate miss by Kaba Gassama, followed by a missed penalty from Jennifer Gutiérrez, denied Spain a late equalizer and cemented Romania’s one-goal advantage. The live tension of the last seconds defined the overall arc of the game, with Esther Arrogoria and her colleagues left to ponder the narrow margin that separated victory from defeat. The final score remained 28-27 in favor of Romania, laying bare Spain’s willingness to fight until the end.

Data sheet:
Romania: Pleasant; Seraficeanu (-), Pristavita (1), Buceschi (6, 1p), Neagu (5, 1p), Tanasie (-) and Pintea (7) -first team- Dumanska (ps), Ciuca (ps), Bazaliu (3), Dindiligan (-), Badea (2), Ostase (-), Lixandroiu (-), Lupei (-), Grozav (4)

Spain: wigs; Valdivia (1), Arcos (3), Gassama (3), Lara González (4), Barbosa (-) and Sole López (2) -first team- Aalla (ps), Campos (1), Arrojeria (2), Arderius (1), Jennifer Gutiérrez (4, 2p), Etxeberria (2), Spugnini (-), Almudena Rodríguez (1) and Tchaptchet (3)

Marker every five minutes: 3-2, 4-3, 7-5, 8-6, 11-8 and 12-11 (Timeout) 14-12, 15-15, 19-20, 21-20, 24-25 and 28-27 (Final)

Referees: Özren Backovic and Mirko Palackovic (TİG). For Romania they excluded Ostase (2) and Pristavita for two minutes; and Tchaptchet for Spain.

Events: The match, which coincided with the first day of the second stage of the European Championship in Slovenia, Macedonia and Montenegro, was played at the Boris Trajkovski Arena in Skopje.