Aarhus, DENMARK, December 15 (official 2002 European Women's Handball Championship website) - Yugoslavia had the chance to qualify for the next European Championship in Hungary, but squandered the chance by losing the match for fifth place in this Championship.
Before the match Yugoslavia had the most to play for. They could book a place in the European Championship in Hungary 2004 if they could beat Hungary for the fifth place in this year's tournament.
The four semi finalists and the hosts Hungary have already qualified and Yugoslavia could have taken the last direct place with a win today.
Neither of the teams had any intentions of using too much strength in defence and the match was played in a breathtaking pace. The attacks
were finished after ten seconds, and mostly with goal as the result.
The half time result was more like a full time result. Hungary going into the locker room with a 24-20 lead.
In the second half the scoring orgy continued. Both teams forgetting all about defending and kept on taking all chances to get on the scoresheet.
Agnes Farkas was back from the ankle injury which kept her out of Hungary's defeat to Norway and showed her importance for the Hungarian team. Today she scored 14 times and was the best player on the court.
Liljana Knezevic has played a minor role for Yugoslavia in the Championship. Tatjana Medved, Bojana Petrovic and Tanja Milanovic being the most central backplayers for the Yugoslavians. Today she got her chance and she made the most out of it, scoring ten times.
The goalkeepers did not play at a world class level, but in the final minutes the Hungarian keeper Tímea Sugar had some important saves.
Hungary won the match with the basketball score 43-39.
