Handball: Faroes beat Romania

”It’s a special feeling when you represent your home country and win a game like this together with your best friends.”

So said an emotional Helgi Hoydal after yesterday’s victory against Romania in the third round of qualification for the European Handball Championship.

Hondbóltur, Føroyar - Rumenia

The Faroese side started out with a bang, going into half-time with a healthy 15-9 lead.

As the half-time score would suggest, the Faroese defence stood strong, not least goalkeeper Nicholas Satchwell, who pulled off some spectacular saves.

Hondbóltur, Føroyar - Rumenia

The strong defence was complemented by right-winger Hákun West av Teigum, who scored no less than 11 goals.

Hondbóltur, Føroyar - Rumenia

The second half started off much more even, and after 15 minutes, the score had reached 20-20.

However, Elias Ellefsen á Skipagøtu and Óli Mittún proved why they have become famous across the handball world as they added some brilliant goals to bring the final score to 28-25.

Hondbóltur, Føroyar - Rumenia

The Faroese team will travel to Romania today for the return game on Saturday.

Faroe Islands-Romania

28-26 (15-9)

Faroese goal scorers:

Hákun West av Teigum 11

Elias Ellefsen á Skipagøtu 5

Óli Mittún 5

Tróndur Mikkelsen 3

Helgi Hildarson Hoydal 2

Leivur Mortensen 2

Faroese goalkeepers:

Nicholas Satchwell (8/22) 36.36%

Pauli Jacobsen (5/17) 29.41%

Hondbóltur, Føroyar - Rumenia

With last night’s win, the Faroese team moves off the bottom of the table in Group 4, which is led by Austria (4 points). Romania, the Faroes and Ukraine are all tied on 2 points, but the Faroes have a better goal difference than Ukraine.

Watch the highlights of the game here.

Read the Faroese version of this article here.

More Faroese News in English.