JERUSALEM, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Israel's national handball team on Wednesday achieved a 28-24 home win over Lithuania in the second phase of the 2023 IHF World Men's Handball Championship qualifiers.
With the tie's second leg to be played in the Lithuanian city of Alytus on Sunday, the aggregate winners will face Hungary on April 13 and 16 for a place in the final tournament to be held in January 2023 in Poland and Sweden.
About 1,200 fans at the Drive In Arena in Tel Aviv saw a strong Lithuanian opening, with Aidenas Malasinskas inspiring the visitors to a 13-8 lead in the first 25 minutes.
Important goals by Yirmi Sidi and Yonatan Dayan brought Israel back into contention, with the home side trailing 13-10 at half-time.
A series of saves by goalkeeper Dan Tepper helped the Israelis continue their momentum and retake the lead after an impressive 7-0 run, making it 15-13 in the 38th minute.
Adir Cohen, Sidi and Tepper helped Israel widen the gap to 22-16, but Karolis Antanavicius brought Lithuania back to 22-20 with eight minutes to go.
Goals by Dayan eventually allowed Israel to gain a four-goal lead ahead of the return leg in Lithuania.
Sidi scored seven goals for Israel, with Cohen and Dayan adding five each. Malasinskas scored a game-high 11 goals for Lithuania. ■
