Switzerland's national handball team has defeated Hungary 22-21 in Aarau, to keep alive their chances of reaching the 2002 European Championships.

The winning goal was scored by Switzerland's Severin Brüngger, just four seconds before the end of the game.

Despite the win, the Swiss captain, Kostadinovich, said his team had not sufficiently taken advantage of Hungary's weaknesses.

"In the first half of the match, we should have scored at least four or five more goals", he said.

The game started out with Switzerland's Thomas Gautschi and Stefan Massa on the offensive. While Gautschi scored important goals, Massa proved to be of little help.

He missed several attempts to score, and committed several fouls which led to two-minute penalties, before being replaced by Iwan Ursic.

Switzerland now face a difficult task in their return match in Nyiregyhaza on Sunday. Saturday's narrow winning margin means that the Hungarians need only secure a two point victory at home to go through to the finals at Switzerland's expense.

"It is going to be very difficult for us in Hungary," Swiss coach Arno Ehret admitted. "There will be more pressure on our offensive, and I don't know how my players will react in this tense atmosphere", Ehret said.

swissinfo with agencies

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