By Nicklas Thygesen
Close but no cigar.
A by now familiar phrase in the Skjern Handball context over the past month and a half, where the points return has been far from matching the play and chances.
Sunday's playoff opener against GOG fell into the same category.
A strong Skjern start, lots of tempo, counterplay and not least a brilliant Simon Sejer. Skjern led several times by 5-6 goals.
After the break, the same match picture. Skjern in control, had momentum and was clearly better offensively than defensively, but the lead remained intact. Until eight minutes from time, when the visitors were in front for the first time since the 16th minute.
In a highly dramatic finish with an extended VAR check the Skjern side had the chance to secure a single point in the last attack, but typical of the recent period, the final sharpness was lacking.
Therefore GOG won the first playoff match 35-34 in front of 2,861 spectators at Skjern Bank Arena.
