The handballers of ŽRK Bjelovar recorded a new victory in the 1. HRL for women. In the seventh-round match, played on Wednesday, 28 October, at the Hall of European Champions in Bjelovar, they defeated ŽRK Ivanić 36-28 and secured two more points.
The Bjelovar handballers showed determination and a desire to win from the first minute. After an initial even rhythm, in which the first ten minutes were played goal for goal, Bjelovar gradually took control of the match. The home team then raised the level of play and accelerated the pace, so the Bjelovar players went to the half-time break with a lead of 18-13.
In the second half, they continued to increase the gap. Entering the 50th minute, they had an 11-goal lead. The visitors managed to reduce the deficit until the end, but the home handballers maintained their advantage and concluded the match with a 36-28 victory.
In the ranks of Bjelovar, the most efficient was Rea Kruljac with nine goals, while Ana Maria Gavrić scored eight goals. Goalkeeper Karmela Pokopac recorded 11 saves.
Bjelovar coach Goran Mrđen congratulated his team on the victory but warned about injury problems that have been plaguing the squad in recent matches. After Una Ivančić was injured in the match against Virovitica, Ivona Mrđen was also injured in the match against Ivanić, leaving the team without two wing players. "The result is excellent, but it was hard to play. Ivanić played in a good rhythm, and we had almost no rotation on the wing positions. Nevertheless, we held on and finished the match with clear heads," Mrđen said.
Leona Grgić expressed satisfaction with the victory and congratulated the opponents on their fair and correct fight. She highlighted that the team fulfilled the agreed tasks, both in defence and in attack. "We did everything that was required of us, good work in defence and in attack. At half-time, we gathered our heads again so that we could bring the match to a close as we had agreed," Grgić said.
ŽRK Bjelovar thanked the fans who cheered them on from the stands.
