Varazdin, 21 January 2025 (MIA) - The Macedonian handball national team drew 29:29 with Austria in the first match of the Main Round at 2025 IHF Men's Handball World Championship.

Coach Kiril Lazarov’s team played well for most of the first half, leading by three goals twice, with a halftime score of 13:14.

Boosted by the crucial Florian Kaiper's save two minutes before the end, Austria came to the position of being the winner of the game, 29:28, but Filip Kuzmanovski became his team hero by netting with the buzzer, securing a draw. North Macedonia had only four seconds for the attack, after Austria took the lead with six to go, as coach Kiril Lazarov took a team time-out.

With no time to spare, the plan was clear and Kuzmanovski had to shoot. Taking a few steps, the left back found a gap and delivered a strong shot, only for Kaiper to manage to slowly push the ball into the goal just as the buzzer went off.

The hummel Player of the Match Lukas Hutacek netted six times and four assists, Nemanja Beloš scored five, while Marko Mitev produced the most goals for North Macedonia, six.

France leads the Group with 4 points, followed by Hungary and Austria with 3 points each, the Netherlands and Macedonia with 2 points each, and Qatar with no points.

Photo: MIA