Handball News, April 14 2010 by Frazer Snowdon

Issue 116 April 14 2010

Euro 2012: Training Steps up for GB Men AS preparations for their Euro 2012 campaign in June continue, the GB Men’s handball team were boosted this week with the news that every member of the squad at their training camp in London had passed a tough set of fitness tests. With just two months to go until Crystal Palace plays host to six Euro 2012 matches, the GB squad are at the venue this week under the guidance of head coach Dragan Djukic, assistant Bill Baillie and strength and conditioning coach Jure Sterbucl.

Improved Most of Monday was spent putting the players through body fat and metabolism tests, as well as gruelling endurance and strength tests. And the results have shown that all players at Crystal Palace have improved significantly since the tests were last done late last year. “Prior to the World Championship qualifiers in Finland in January we were

a bit disappointed with the condition of some of the players,” said Baillie. “So there was a clear message that any player who was out of shape coming into this camp who failed the tests would be sent home immediately. “The good news is that all the players here have responded well, and overall the team has improved significantly which is great. “But their fitness level is just one element of many that we need to bring together before 2012.” It has been around three years since the GB team played a match on home shores, and being drawn as the hosts for their Euro 2012 group has given the players a real boost. “The players have all seen the GB women’s

Head Coach Dragan Djukic, pictured with some of his players.

matches and they can’t wait to play in front of a home crowd,” added Baillie. “It’s been all the talk over dinner during the camp.

dream; in a matter of weeks they will be playing against some of the best players in the world. “They’re really excited and their motivation is good as it is in the whole Focused team, but there’s always “The squad is a lot more room to improve - as we’re never focused now, and realise coaches that it’s not just a pipe satisfied anyway!”

Handball News is produced by Snowdon Sports Media Partners Ltd for the British Handball Association For more details please contact 0845 230 0803 or log on to BritishHandball.com or EnglandHandball.com

Issue 116 April 14 2010

Battling Manchester End Great Dane’s Unbeaten Run MANCHESTER threw their National League title hopes a lifeline on Sunday when they beat reigning champions Great Dane, bringing an end to their two-season domestic unbeaten run. The thrilling 26-25 victory leaves Manchester just one point behind Great Dane. While both sides have three play-off matches remaining, the Manchester versus Great Dane match scheduled for May 23 could well turn out to be the title decider. Both sides began with strong defences and a physical approach, but the Manchester goalkeepers Deak and Belus gave them an edge in the first and second halves respectively. There was never more than a couple of goals between the two sides as the lead changed hands frequently, but Manchester led 12-10 at the break. The closing stages of an intense match led to a player being sent off for both sides, but Manchester thought they

had done enough for the win with Lasek wrong-footing the Danes keeper while under pressure. Great Dane hit back in search of an equaliser with 30 seconds left, however, the Manchester defence held out well to secure a one-point victory.

Results, April 10

Fixtures, April 17

Winners In the day’s other match, an under-strength Salford took on Olympia with just five players as much of their team was held up because of an accident on the motorway. Olympia ran out convincing and predictable 50-14 winners, but Salford should be back to full strength for the next set of play-off matches on April 25, which are due to be held at the Greenbank Academy in Liverpool.

English Women’s League: EHA Men’s Cup, round two Olympia 16 Great Dane 27, (Leyton, London): Olympia v Great Dane, Ruislip Eagles v Deva, Thames 15 Ruislip Eagles 27. Thames v Salford. EHA Men’s Plate, round two Scottish Men’s League: (Liverpool): Liverpool Speke Gracemount 32 Glasgow 32, Garston v Liverpool.

Liberton 34 Ayr 24.

Results, April 11

Scottish Men’s League: EK82 v Ayr, Cumbernauld v Gracemount, Tryst v Glasgow.

Fixtures, April 18

English League Play-offs (Leyton, London): Great Dane 25 Manchester 26, Salford 14 EHA Men’s Cup, round two Olympia 50. (Manchester): Manchester v Bristol.

EHA Women’s Cup: Deva 27 EHA Women’s Cup (Warrington): Ruislip Eagles 34. Deva v Cambridge.

Champions! Gracemount celebrate winning the Scottish League title.

Glasgow stayed on top until 15 seconds before the final whistle, when Gracemount’s right back scored from nine metres to level the score at 32-32. Glasgow shot from nine metres Having lost just one of their 11 with two seconds to go, but the games so far, Gracemount are three effort was blocked, the whistle points clear of Cumbernauld and sounded the celebrations began. can’t be caught with just one match Danos Sagias netted 10 goals for remaining. Glasgow, Allan Stokes scored seven After a one minute silence was for Gracemount. held for the President of Poland and In the day’s other match, Liberton the 130 people that died last ended their season on a high, weekend, both teams started well beating Ayr by 10 goals. and nothing could separate them in They started the game strongly the first part of the first half. and they had a comfortable lead of However, Glasgow led 17-16 at the four or five goals from the start. The break. win caps their best season so far, The second half was also tight and finishing with five victories. although Glasgow never lost the With 11 goals, Kriss Szulc was toplead, Gracemount equalised several scorer for Ayr, while Zeller Johannes times. netted seven for Liberton.

GRACEMOUNT secured their first Scottish League title last weekend when they battled to a thrilling 32-32 draw with Glasgow on Saturday.

Men’s English Lge (Play-Offs) Great Dane Manchester Cambridge Olympia Salford Nottingham

Diff

Pts

7 7 7 7 7 7

5 5 4 4 2 0

1 0 1 0 0 0

1 2 2 3 5 7

50 39 27 36 -84 -68

11 10 9 8 4 0