Romania, dramatic victory over the Czech Republic, in the play-off round of the 2025 WC in men’s handball

Romania achieved a dramatic victory over the Czech Republic, in the round match of the play-off phase of the 2025 World Championship in men’s handball.

Romania, dramatic victory in men’s handball

On Wednesday, May 8, in Baia Mare, the Romanian national men’s handball team defeated the Czech national team, score 31-30 (15-11), in the first leg of the European play-off phase of the 2025 World Championship. The tricolors also led with 7 goals.

The main scorers of the game were Grigoraş 9 goals, Buzel 5, Dedu 5, for the national team coached by George Buricea, respectively Piroch 9, Sterba 6, Klima 6, for the Czech Republic.

The tricolors also led with 7 goals in this game, but they lost their good game rhythm and concentration in the last 10 minutes.

The Baia Mare match against the Czech Republic also represented the official debut of coach George Buricea, who replaced Xavi Pascual.

The return leg will take place on Sunday, May 12, in Brno, from 17.30, for a place in the final tournament of WC2025.

In the other disputes in the European play-off phase, Lithuania – Hungary, Italy – Montenegro, Greece – Netherlands, Spain – Serbia, Faroe Islands – North Macedonia, Slovenia – Switzerland, Portugal – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland – Estonia, Poland – Slovakia and Georgia – Austria.

The 2025 World Championship will take place in Croatia, Denmark and Norway, between January 14 and February 2. Europe has 11 places available at the final tournament through qualifiers, alongside host nations France, Germany, Sweden (from EC2024). 32 teams will compete in the final tournament.

The holder of the trophy is Denmark, the team that won the finals in 2019, 2021 and 2023.

Romania last participated in a World Championship in 2011, when it finished in 19th place, the lowest ranking of the 14 participations in the final tournaments.

Quadruple world champion in her glory years (1961, 1964, 1970 and 1974), the tricolor national team has won only one medal since then: bronze in 1990.

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