Premier Handball League 2023: Golden Eagles UP stay alive in semis race, Telugu Talons win big against Garvit Gujarat

Three teams are fighting for the final semi-final spot.

The Golden Eagles Uttar Pradesh secured a stunning victory against the Delhi Panzers in a match that ended 37-28 in their favour. If Golden Eagles win their next game, they will qualify for the Semi-finals of the Premier Handball League 2023.

Delhi was on cusp of qualifying as a win would see them secure a semi-final berth, while Uttar Pradesh needed two wins for the same. Both teams started the game in blistering fashion. Deepak Ahlawat, Bhupender Ghanghas and Ramesh Chandra were being afforded too much time and space, which saw them score freely in the opening minutes.

For Golden Eagles Uttar Pradesh, Mankesh, Sukhveer Singh Brar and Harjinder Singh had a fast start to the game. Delhi and Uttar Pradesh were matching each other blow for blow as neither team could establish a lasting lead. By the 15th minute mark, the scores read seven all. 

The Golden Eagles slowly took control of the game as they were able to stifle Delhi’s attack. While the Golden Eagles tightened their defence they got into their attacking groove completely. Jyotiram Bhushan Shinde and Captain Vikas started seeing more of the ball and they started supporting the likes of Sukhveer in attack efficiently. This saw the Golden Eagles take a slender lead.

While the Delhi Panzers were floundering to score as freely, they managed to stay within touching distance of the Golden Eagles. Soon after the first period came to a close as the scores read 15-12 in favour of Uttar Pradesh.

The Golden Eagle Uttar Pradesh upped the ante in the second half as the Delhi Panzers started to struggle to keep pace with them. Captain Vikas, Jyotiram Bhushan and Sukhveer were shooting with devastating effect that allowed their team to extend their lead.

While Bhupender Ghanghas and Ramesh Chandra were trying their level best to keep Delhi in the game, Uttar Pradesh became rampant in attack. Halfway through the second half the scores read 27-21 in favour of the Golden Eagles Uttar Pradesh, who had thoroughly started dominating the proceedings.

Uttar Pradesh put in a masterful performance in the game. Omid Reza also started making crucial saves which saw his team put further daylight between them and the Delhi Panzers. Vikas Kumar and Harjinder Singh were leading the charge for the Golden Eagles as they looked to establish an unassailable lead.

The Panzers looked deflated going into the last 10 minutes of the game, which saw Uttar Pradesh put the game to bed even before the final whistle. The game ended 37-28 in favour of the Golden Eagles Uttar Pradesh as they made sure their hopes of making it to the semi-final are still alive.

Sukhveer Singh Brar was the top scorer for the Golden Eagles in this game with nine goals, while Bhupender Ghanghas was the top scorer for the Delhi Panzers in this game with eight goals. Sukhveer’s goals in the game saw him retake the top spot in the scoring charts of the league and he was adjudged to be the most valuable player of the game. 

Final Score - Golden Eagles Uttar Pradesh 37-28 Delhi Panzers

Telugu Talons defeat Garvit Gujarat

The Telugu Talons secured a resounding victory over Garvit Gujarat in an encounter that ended 36-28 in favour of the Talons.

Garvit Gujarat started the match against the Telugu Talons in blistering fashion. Mandeep Lochab in the Gujarat goal made numerous terrific saves in the opening minutes to deal with the Talons initial on-slaught. This allowed Garvit Gujarat to assume control of the game in the early stages as Harender Singh Nain in attack put his team in the lead.

However, Gujarat could not hang on to their lead for too long as the Talons came roaring back into the game thanks Davinder Singh Bhullar and Naseeb Singh, who were shooting efficiently. The Talons had got into their attacking groove as now they were matching Gujarat stride for stride but could not equalise yet. By the 15th minute of the game the scores read 8-6 in favour of Garvit Gujarat.

The Talons started showcasing why they are one of the top two teams in the league from there on. Kailash Patel and Rahul Nain started dominating the Garvit Gujarat defence to bring the scores level and eventually the Talons took a slender lead thanks to the duo. Harender Singh Nain was supercharging the Gujarat attack since he was almost single handedly making sure his team stays within touching distance of Telugu. While both teams were able to score freely the Talons were holding onto their slender lead. Soon after the half came to an end as the scores read 18-15 in favour of the Telugu Talons.

Gujarat were looking for a fast start to the second half but except Harender Singh the other players on his team were struggling to find their finishing touch. While Harender was trying his best to drag his team back into the game, Naseeb, Davinder and Rahul Nain were making sure the Talons were able to extend their lead. The Talons also started marking Harender a lot more tightly in the second half to blunt Garvit Gujarat’s attack. Halfway through the second period the scores read 29-21 in favour of Telugu, who looked on course to register a big win.

Rahul Nain, Naseeb Singh and Kailash Patel were putting on a masterclass in attack for the Telugu Talons as they were seemingly scoring with every shot they took. Gujarat to their own detriment were still struggling to find the back of the net regularly. For the last 10 minutes of the game Fernando Nunes took off the key members of his squad to give them a rest. Despite the Talons arguably fielding a weaker team to see the game out, Gujarat could not find a way back into the game. Soon after the game came to an end as the scores read 36-28 in favour of the Talons.

Harender Singh Nain and Naseeb Singh were the top scorers for their respective teams in the match with 8 goals apiece. Kailash Patel was adjudged to be most valuable player of the game for his pivotal performance for the Talons in the game.

Final Score - Garvit Gujarat 28-36 Telugu Talons