How Great Britain tactically destroyed Nigeria at IHF Emerging Champs

Nigeria, on Saturday, lost to Great Britain 30-20 in a fifth placement match at the IHF Emerging Nations Championship in Varna, Bulgaria.

In a game played at the Palace of Culture and Sports in Varna, Bulgaria, the national under-24 male handball team started superbly before losing steam.

In the first minutes of the match, Nigeria was 5-1 at some point but fell like a pack of cards as Great Britain patiently actualised their tactics of keeping right-wing Faruk Yusuf quiet.

This tactic helped them to punish Nigeria's unnecessary turnovers en route to winning the first half 14-11.

In the second half, the British lads pretty much continued from where they stopped in the first half with Yusuf isolated and no opportunity for Ibrahim and Obina Ani to shoot from the 9 meters.

Great Britain kept to their superior tactics inspired by Goalkeeper Craig McClelland's MVP performance which led to him making crucial saves, especially six one-on-one saves in the first half and right-wing Francisco Pereira's shining performance to defeat Nigeria 30-20.

McClelland, who was voted Player of the Match, made as many as 18 saves and had 50% while Pereira, through his breathtaking fast breaks had 11 goals in the match.

Nigeria will play Andorra, who have the highest goal scorer Unai Ruiz in their team, in a 7th/8th placement on Sunday while Great Britain will face Australia in a 6th placement match on the same day.