photo: Tamas Csonka

Charlotte and Julie Bonaventura about the final decision of the WCh-final

The French Handball Federation asked Charlotte and Julie Bonaventura , the referees who whistled the final between Spain and Netherlands at the IHF World Championship in Kumamoto , Japan, last weekend, about their decision made in the last 7 seconds at the game.

The result was 29-29 and at 59’53 ‘‘ Spain lost the ball by Cabral Barbosa shooting precipitated, Tess Wester saved the ball and had the intention to start a fastbreak. At this moment Spanish Ainoha Hernandez blocked the Dutch goalkeeper in her throw-out and the ball could not leave the 6-meter area before the blocking hand stopped it.

The French referees whistled immediately and the Netherlands got a 7-meter penalty right after Hernandez had to leave the court with a red card. Lois Abbingh scored on 7-meter and the Netherlands become World Champions.

photo: screenshot caption from internet

Charlotte and Julie Bonaventura about the situation and the decision:

“Our role is to apply the regulations (The rules applied: 12:1, 12:2 and 8:10 -the last 30 seconds rule – by editor ). At the time of decision-making, we have zero doubt. I was positioned right next to the action (Julie) and I had the best view. At the time of the block, the ball had not completely crossed the goal area. It happened in the last 30 seconds, so it resulted in a red card and a 7m throw. The reserve referees, positioned in the center, also saw the same thing. They confirmed it to us after the match. At this point in the game, you need to have enough mental freshness to analyze the situation and decide calmly. This may be challenging but there was no use of video on this World Cup. The decision was logical and an official statement from the IHF was not needed. ( Spanish Ramon Gallego, from IHF made a statement about referee activity at the tournament later after the final)

“In this world championship, before the final, there had been no situation in the last 30 seconds, this proves that the life of a referee is not easy and quiet. It makes people talk and it shows, if it were still necessary, that arbitration is not simple. You have to know the rules in all their finesse. Watching handball matches on tv on Wednesdays is not enough to become an expert, whether player, coach or referee.

source: ffhandball.fr, ihf.info