Handball League

Linz forces deciding game in HLA final series

HC Linz has made an impressive comeback in the battle for the Austrian handball championship title and forced a deciding game in the HLA final series! The club from Upper Austria celebrated a commanding 36:28 victory over HC Hard on Friday to tie the best-of-three series at 1:1 and set up a showdown for the championship in Vorarlberg on Wednesday (8:20 p.m.). 

"It was a strong team performance," said Linz coach Milan Vunjak on ORF. "We are really ready. Hard has a really great backdrop in one of the most beautiful halls in Austria." Hard had won the first duel 32:26.

Possibility of first championship title in 28 years
The runners-up from Linz still have the chance to win their first championship title in 28 years. Basic round winners Hard, who are still unbeaten in their own arena this season, will be looking to secure the eighth title in the club's history in the Ländle.

The Linzers played an outstanding first half in front of ÖHB team boss Ales Pajovic and ÖHB sports director Patrick Fölser. With a 5:0 run, the home side pulled away decisively to 15:8 in the opening spell. After the break, the lead was as much as eleven goals at one stage.

The result:
HC Linz AG - Alpla HC Hard 36:28 (20:13)

The score in the series: 1:1

Deciding game on Wednesday (20:20) in Hard