Sydney Uni Handball Club jetted home on the weekend (September 13) to be greeted by an excited crowd of passionate well-wishers following their efforts at the International Handball Federation (IHF) Super Globe in Doha, Qatar where they reached the Bronze medal game.
The surprise-packet of the tournament, Sydney Uni pressed all the way in going down to European Handball powerhouse FC Barcelona by 10 goals (30:20). FC Barcelona had won the previous two IHF Super Globes.
Sydney Uni started strong and at the 10 minute mark were two goals in front (4:6) but Barcelona clawed their way back to snatch the lead and eventual victory. One of the best players for Sydney Uni was goalkeeper, Martin Jomin, who made some great saves. On the attack side left- wing, Diego Llorente Llamazares, continued his great form from earlier games to again feature heavily on the score sheet.
It was an amazing feat by Sydney Uni to reach the Bronze medal play-off as the only amateur team in the tournament.
“It’s a bit of a daunting task obviously when you play Barcelona. But it helped us knowing that the defence worked as well as it did in the previous few games. I think 10 goals is a very respectable result to come out with so I’m very happy,” said Sydney Uni coach, Philipp Enders.
In the lead-up to their Bronze medal play-off, by virtue of their historic Quarter-Final victory (21:20) over hosts Al Sadd on September 7, Sydney Uni took on MKB-MVM Veszprem in the semi-finals. Sydney Uni challenged all the way and were within 5 goals late in the game before eventually succumbing 29:17.
In the Gold medal match Fuche Berlin won a thrilling extra-time encounter over MKB-MVM Veszprem (28:27) to clinch the championship.
The Blue and Gold of Sydney Uni have achieved amazing things in this tournament securing 4th Place overall and a breakthrough win at a major international handball competition. The team for the IHF Super Globe comprised four Australian national team players, along with a real international flavour in the squad with members originating from France, Denmark, Spain, Poland and Brazil. Their great result at this event, where the team showed they can match it with the best in the world, has helped open the eyes of the Australian sporting community to handball. We are all extremely proud of their efforts.
Sydney Uni Handball Club is at the forefront of the sport in Australia and welcomes new players at all levels both male and female. If you wish to find out more please contact the club here: http://www.susf.com.au/page/handball.html
