In a gripping encounter during the World Championship main round, Austria's men's handball team faced a dramatic challenge against North Macedonia, concluding the match with a 29:29 draw. The game, held in Varazdin, saw Austria's hopes for a quarter-final berth remain alive, despite the setback.
Austria, fielding a weakened team due to injuries, struggled to find their rhythm against a determined North Macedonian side. The match was intensely contested, with Austria initially trailing by three goals at various points. However, crucial contributions from players like Nemanja Belos allowed the team to regain momentum, culminating in a narrow lead at halftime with a score of 14:13.
The second half mirrored the first, with both teams exchanging leads. A pivotal moment came when Lukas Hutecek scored a last-second goal, seemingly sealing the victory for Austria. Yet, in a twist of fate, Filip Kuzmanovski equalized for North Macedonia just seconds before the final whistle, leaving the match tied.
Looking ahead, Austria must secure victories in their upcoming matches against Hungary and the Netherlands to advance further in the tournament. The stakes are high, and the team's resilience will be tested as they strive for success in the championship.