Greece started their matches at the Beach Handball World Championships with an important victory, prevailing 2-1 over the Czech Republic in the shoot-out process.

The Czech Republic teamlooked better in the beginning and took a 10:5 lead midway through the first set. The Greeks fought backto tie the game at 10:10 and even go upwith 12:10, before the Czechs went level on points again (12:12). The tie was finally broken with a buzzer-beater goal from the Greeks.

In the second set, Greece looked stronger and were leading by nine (16:7), but a bravecomeback from the Czechs saw them taking the lead after a 10:0 run, which helped them win the set and tie the game.

In the shoot-out the hosts found the net more times than the Czechs, and won with 6:2 to secure their first victory at the tournament.

The sets: 17:16, 18:24, 6:2

Greece: Chinos 2, Kolezakis, Batis 7, Siaravas, Pougatsias 1, Marinos 14, Papadopoulos 6, Markatatos, Tsoulkeridis 10, Kyriakidis1.

Czech Republic: Lavicka, Vojir 14, Benes, Buryanek 4, Khek 2, Micke, Pokorny 6, Srba 2, Duda 4, Fornbaum 7.

Referees: Botincan, Rupcic.Suspensions 2-3.

Quotes

Nikos Marinos (Greece -Player)

"We made a very good start, although we did not have much time to prepare as a team. We showed team spirit and great will. It is a great feeling to play in a big event in your country and I hope we will continue at this pace and qualify for the next phase".

Christian Duda (Czech Republic - Place)

"It was a very competitive game. In the first set our opponents were luckier than us, in the second we were better and inthe shoot-out the Greek team was more concentrated than us and managed to win. The event is fantastic, the hotel is incredible and we enjoy our presence here".