Handball: 2700-kilometre trip due to seven-metre throwing

In the EHF Cup, a curious situation arises due to a wrong interpretation of the rules by the referees. On Sunday, the Icelandic club FH Hafnarfjördur will play for the Russian representative HC St. Petersburg – and only to a seven-metre throw.

After St.. Petersburg on 15. After having won the return leg of the second round in Russia on 16 October with 32:27 and thus exactly equalising the result of the first leg, an extra time was played on instructions from the non-party side.

The Russians were defeated in the overtime, but thereupon successfully protested. The reason for this is that the rules of the EHF-Cup stipulate that in the event of a tie, a seven-metre throw must be carried out immediately after the regular playing time.

Now the team from Hajnarfjördur has to cover 2,700 kilometres, only to arrive in St. Gustavia on Sunday. Petersburg to the seven-metre throw. After a few minutes it will be clear whether the Icelanders or St. Peter’s will be able to see. Petersburg in the third round against Tatran Presov for the move into the group stage will play.

The situation couldn’t be more unpleasant,”said Hafnarfjördur coach Halldor Johann Sigfusson:”But we have no choice but to let the whole procedure go through us with a smile. After all, we’re writing a piece of handball history – and only because we’re here.”

The Icelander emphasized that there was even a discussion about who would throw the seven-metre mark in Russia. Sigfusson doesn’t want to put pressure on his players under any circumstances, however:”Throwing a seven-metre shot is like throwing a coin. If we lose, we lose.”

The coach of the hosts, former Bundesliga player Dimitri Torgovanov, has also already decided on his shooters:”But I’m sure I won’t name them,”the 45-year-old joked, only to become extremely serious afterwards:”This is definitely something unique. But there’s no need to joke about the situation. After all, we have a chance to reach the next round.”