The Serbian women\u2019s handball team claimed a hard-fought victory over Iceland at the World Championship in Stuttgart, winning 27:26 and securing a place in the next phase of the global competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to bookmaker predictions, Serbia entered the match as the favorite \u2014 a status it ultimately justified, though the match proved far more difficult than expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before this duel, Serbia held a better head-to-head score against Iceland (3:1), and the team approached the match in good spirits following a convincing win over underdog Uruguay, despite a performance that was not at its peak. Iceland had previously shown solid resistance but failed to surprise Germany, one of the tournament\u2019s hosts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iceland\u2019s preparations for the World Championship had been modest: they lost two European Championship qualifiers to Portugal and the Faroe Islands. Serbia, on the other hand, notched two victories in the same period, against Ukraine and Lithuania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Serbia failed to convert its first attack of the match, unlike Iceland, but our players quickly settled into rhythm and began scoring, primarily through Katarina Krpe\u017e-Slezak and Jovana Skrobi\u0107. Early play unfolded \u201cgoal for goal,\u201d until Serbia pulled away to its biggest lead of +4 after 20 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By halftime, Serbia had increased its lead further, heading to the break with a six-goal advantage (19:13). Gordana Petkovi\u0107 stood out in particular, saving a penalty and producing several key defensive interventions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second half began far less efficiently than the first \u2014 after five minutes, each side had scored just once. Ten minutes in, Serbia extended the lead to +7, again driven by Dragana Cviji\u0107, Katarina Krpe\u017e-Slezak, and Jovana Skrobi\u0107. Iceland managed to close the gap to -5, but the outstanding Gordana Petkovi\u0107 again halted their momentum, at least briefly \u2014 before Serbia\u2019s play collapsed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the final minutes, Iceland launched a series of attacks and reduced the deficit to just two goals entering the last ten minutes, while Serbia struggled immensely with finishing. Iceland had a chance to equalize in the dying seconds, but Jovana Risovi\u0107 delivered a crucial save, allowing Serbia to escape with the win and clinch a spot in the next round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The top scorers for Serbia were Jovana Skrobi\u0107 and Katarina Krpe\u017e-Slezak with seven goals each, followed by Dragana Cviji\u0107 with six. For Iceland, Torkelsdottir and Erlingsdottir scored five goals apiece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
INTERVIEW, SERGEJ TRIFUNOVI\u0106: Both Washington and Brussels fear the student list! The embrace of the \u0161ajka\u010da and the hijab is an epic moment! (VIDEO)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTHE CALL WAS NOT OF CLEAR CONTENT\u201d: Health center \u010ca\u010dak about the accident in which the student Ana died!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n