After a long time, handball returned to the courts of Kazan - that's how we can describe the start of the OLIMPBET Super Series, where Russia and Belarus met in the opening match.
The confrontation between the neighbours took place at the Tennis Academy. The organisation and preparation of the match was at the highest level - the teraflex was laid out, the gates were set, tickets were sold, and the fan zone was almost completely filled with fans.
The course of the Super Series involves three matches in different cities - Kazan, Moscow and Chekhov. The capital of Tatarstan had the opportunity to be the pioneer, so the scale and atmosphere were breathtaking.
From the very beginning of the game the Russians confidently secured their advantage - the first half ended with the score 18:12. The second half was not without intrigue. The hosts scored goals, but the Belarusians were getting closer and closer to a draw - at 42 minutes of the match the lead became minimal. The last and very intense ten minutes turned out to be decisive: several penalties and goals, and in the end - the score was 31:28 and the victory of the Russian team.
"Great hall and great atmosphere. I think this venue is one of the best in Russia. I hope we will come back here with the national team, the main thing is to have the same great fans! Of course, I would like to say a special thanks to the organisers. Speaking about the game, I am glad that we won. The first half was good, but the second half was not so good. We will analyse the game to understand why we lost such an advantage," said Mark Kosorotov, the Russian national team's left midfielder and the best player of the match.
The next match of the Super Series will be held on 15 March in Moscow.
Text: Yulia Milchakova
Photo: Pavel Zheleznyak
