After their
opening win on Monday, GB faced a stern challenge on day 2 against the more
experienced Georgians.
GB made a slow start, struggling to get into their rhythm, and after 15 minutes were 10-4 down, not helped by some harsh calls from the referees. Matters got worse as Georgia stretched their lead to 13-6, but GB dug deep and scored 3 without reply to pull the score back to 13-9. However Georgia regained the initiative and reached the break 17-11 up.
The GB team made a disastrous start to the second half, conceding a 5-0 as Georgia took a 22-11 lead, and then stretched this further to 26-14. However the young GB team again showed huge strength of character to stem the tide and come back to 28-21 and then hold their own to the end of the game. Georgia won 34-26, but GB can draw satisfaction from their battling performance.
Brian Lindsay was again GB’s top scorer with 6 goals, while Tomeu got 5 and Klaening an impressive 4 from 5 shots.
GB currently sit third in group B behind Georgia and face Luxembourg in their final group game at 4pm today (UK time).
(Photo credit: Bulgarian Handball Federation)
