the Buricea selector did NOT know the rules! » He decisively confused his players in the last time-out of the embarrassment with Turkey
Article by Maria Olteanu – Published on Sunday, 22 March 2026 21:21 / Updated on Sunday, 22 March 2026 22:23
However, another detail from the end is also shocking: the selector George Buricea is the main person responsible for the failure, as he confused his players at the last requested time-out, without knowing the rules!
Romania had a 5-goal lead after the first match against Turkey, away from home, and started as a big favorite in qualifying for the play-off with Norway, the last step before next year's World Cup. But everything was shattered on the way back from Buzău.
A huge blunder by the selector George Buricea, who did not know the rules, was decisive in the last seconds of the match.
The Buricea coach buried his team at the last time-out, in Romania – Turkey, in Buzău
Romania had a +5 lead after the round match and could lose by a maximum of 4 goals to qualify. If there had been 5 goals difference, it would have been 7 meters!
Just 40 seconds before the end, the Buricea coach asked for a time-out, where he was convinced that with a difference of 5 goals, our national team qualifies. He even urged his players to take their time, to go with the phase to the limit of the prepassive.
“What was the score in the round? 32-37? At 5 goals difference we qualify!”, said the Buricea coach at the last time-out of the match. Turkey was leading 36-31. Fixed 5 goals! Which were not enough, since, at that score, kicks from 7 meters would have followed!
In the end, Turkey scored in the last second, on the counterattack, after a mistake in our defense, and qualified with a difference of 6 goals, 37-31.
What the IHF regulation says
According to IHF regulations, no extensions are granted. The following criteria apply to determine the qualified team after the completion of the two matches:
a. a higher number of points obtained in both matches;
b. a higher number of goals in both matches;
c. by penalty kicks after the end of the match in the second leg.
Including on the broadcast from PRO Arena, the two commentators of the match were stunned by the mistake of the Buricea coach, accusing him and the Romanian Handball Federation, for the amateurism with which they treated this match.
The Romanian national men's handball team has not participated in a World Championship since 2011, when it ranked 19th at the competition organized in Sweden.
