Iceland lost to Hungary in the quarter finals of the men’s handball at the Olympics this morning, 33:34, ending their 2012 Olympic bid.
Archive photo by Geir Ólafsson.
Iceland went into the match without having lost a game at this year’s Olympics.
Hungary made a strong start, scoring five goals before Aron Pálmarsson scored Iceland’s second goal at seven minutes into the first half.
Iceland equalized for the first time at 15 minutes into the game with a goal from Guðjón Valur Sigurðsson taking the score to 6:6.
At 20 minutes, another goal from Aron Pálmarsson saw Iceland ahead for the first time, 9:8.
But, it wasn’t long before Hungary equalized.
At 26 minutes, a goal by Ólafur Stefánsson leveled the score, 12:12.
Hungary then made a break with a goal by Barna Putics. Once ahead, the team extended their lead to 16:12 by the end of the first half.
Iceland equalized again at six minutes into the second half, 17:17, and then again at 20 minutes, 23:23.
With two minutes remaining, Iceland took the lead, 27:26, but Hungary managed to equalize in the remaining seconds, taking the game into extra time, two halves of five minutes each.
With the two teams level at the end of extra time, play was extended for an additional two halves of five minutes each.
The nail-biting game ended 33:34 to Hungary, ending Iceland’s Olympic bid and the chance to defend their Beijing second place standing.
Hungary are through to the semi finals, which will be played later this week.
ZR
