All or nothing in dramatic deciders
Sport on a knife-edge: the shootout in beach handball – a match decider in which two players take on the opposing goalkeeper, with both teams getting five attempts - is a dramatic highlight in a sport already brimming with acrobatic goals and end-to-end action.
Guillermo Garcia-Cabanas Carques, who played in goal in Spain’s win over Portugal in the boys’ main group phase on Friday, claimed that the pressure can feel even bigger than a football penalty shootout. “This is more stressful,” he said. “With a penalty kick you just shoot at the goal. Here, the (attacking goalkeeper) has to pass, the receiver has to receive, take steps, spin (and shoot). It’s more difficult. “But the crowds here have been awesome. Yesterday we played Argentina (in the main group phase; Spain won 2-0) and it was going down. Everyone was shouting - against us, obviously.”
For Gisella Bonomi (ARG), who scored one goal and saved two in a thrilling 7-6 shootout win over Chinese Taipei, success hinged on calm nerves. “You have to know how to handle the pressure,” she said. “Be secure at the time of shooting. But saving a shot feels like another victory.”
Spain’s victory over Portugal, which ensured their progression to the semifinal stage on Saturday, feels like just reward for a Youth Olympic Games that has involved plenty of personal sacrifice. “We lost a month with friends and studies, training in Spain and then here,” said Garcia-Cabanas Carques. “We see our families for five minutes after games… But we love the sport and we love being here.”
