HANDBALL
Journalist dies during Champions League final
A Polish journalist died during the 2023 EHF Champions League final between SC Magdeburg and Barlinek Industria Kielce on Sunday, the European Handball Federation (EHF) has said.
The journalist, Pawel Kotwica, fainted during the second half and the game was halted as he was medically treated by emergency services but sadly passed away, the EHF added.
Magdeburg coach Bennet Wiegert suggested to end the game with the score at 22-20 for the Poles, he told Bild, saying that “there are more important things in sport”.
“I said that we accept the result, and that Kielce are the winners of the Champions League,” Wiegert said before the game resumed and the German side went on to edge Kielce 30-29 after extra time to win their fourth title.
The seat in Kielce’s press stand which the journalist used to take when he reported on their league games has been reserved, the Polish team said.
“It will be yours forever, because we know that you will be with us at every next match,” they wrote on Twitter.
-Reuters
BY COSMOS CHUKWUEMEKA AKISI
Nigeria Succumb To Cameroon At The Africa Women Handball Championship
Last week in football, the 1-0 defeat of the Super Eagles in a friendly match meant that Cameroon have broken an apparent 32-year jinx, beating the Nigeria Super Eagles in regulation time for the first time since August 1989.
This week, in women’s handball, a determined Nigeria side couldn’t cope with the fire power of hosts Cameroon, as they lost their second match at Africa Women Handball Championship on Thursday.
The Coach Rafiu Salami tutored side started the match with vigor and determination and much better than their performance in the first match which saw them losing slimly to Cameroon 14-13 in the first half.
Nigeria couldn’t continue with their first half momentum in the second half as the host outscored them and took advantage of their 7 metre throws to win the match 31-19.
Nigeria are still third behind with DR Congo leading the group as they defeated Kenya 42-16 earlier in the day.
Nigeria still have an opportunity to qualify for the quarter final as they must finish amongst two of the best losing teams.
It means the the Nigerian ladies must defeat Kenya in their final match to have any hope of qualifying for the the quarter final.
After a 25 years absence, the female National Handball Team return to the Nations Cup beaming with confidence.
The 16 players, coach and few officials departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International ,Airport, Abuja on Friday for Yaounde, Cameroon to take part in the Women Handball Nations Cup.
The team played their last training match on Tuesday where they were out classed 46-28 by an Abuja-based Men’s National Division 1 Side, Arise Stars.
Coach Rafiu Salami in naming his final squad dropped two players, Alawaye Ramat and Onyinye Ilo.
The final list of 16 players and HFN Officials had their 2nd Covid-19 tests on Wednesday.
The Confederation of African Handball during a Virtual meeting confirmed that only Nigeria and DR Congo complied with its requirement of undergoing the first test 7 days before departure to Cameroun.
Nigeria’s opening Group B match is on Sunday, June 6 against DR Congo.
Thereafter they will play Cameroun, before facing Kenya, a team Nigeria defeated at the last Africa Games.
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