Long after the match between Germany and Portugal had finished, Portuguese players and coaches were still complaining to the referees that several Germans were allowed to stand far inside the Portuguese half of the court when the referees blew the whistle to start the game a few seconds before the end of the match. As a result, they were able to run unhindered towards the Portuguese goal and score.
The incident and the score did not change the outcome of the match, but the size of the defeat could prove to be significant.
The match ended with a 32-30 win for Germany, and if Portugal ends up in a situation where three teams have the same number of points when the intermediate round is over, it is the goal difference between the three nations that will be decisive.
The European Handball Federation, EHF, has now issued a press release explaining the incident and acknowledging that a mistake was made.
"At minute 59:55, the German player #54 executed the throw-off following a goal of the Portuguese team.
Two German players (#5 and #23) had crossed the centre line before the referee’s whistle, and player #23 subsequently received the ball and scored.
While a repetition of the throw-off would have been the correct procedure, it would not have changed the team in possession of the ball."
"In accordance with the IHF Video Replay Regulations, this situation was not eligible for review, as it does not fall under the provisions of the VR regulation’s situation #9 (“Game Changing Situations”), which include 7-metre throw decisions, punishments, or decisions that may lead to a change of ball possession."
