Top favorites Denmark and defending champions Sweden are in the semi-finals of the European Handball Championships and are therefore potential opponents of the German hosts.
The Danish world champions defeated Norway, who had failed, on Sunday in Hamburg 29:23 (18:11) and secured first place in the main round group II.
Sweden also benefited from this and can no longer be pushed out of second place in the group. The European champions had kept Portugal at bay in a goal festival with 40:33 (19:15) earlier in the evening. However, it is much more likely that Germany will meet the Danes, who have no lost points, in second place if their semi-final qualification is currently in jeopardy.
The Olympic silver medalists with their top stars Mikkel Hansen and Mathias Gidsel (Füchse Berlin) robbed Norway and Sander Sagosen of their last hope in the “Derby”. Thanks to consistent defense and precise counterattacks, the favorites quickly moved ahead to 9:4. In addition, goalkeeper Emil Nielsen was almost impossible to beat against the almost desperate Norwegians. It didn’t get any tighter as the game progressed.
The outstanding player for the Swedes was Lucas Pellas from Montpellier HB, whose total of ten goals repeatedly kept the Portuguese at a reassuring distance. This never threatened victory. Martim Costa (Sporting Lisbon) countered with eight goals. Portugal still failed, like Slovenia. The 37:34 (19:13) win against the Netherlands, who still had no points, on Sunday afternoon didn’t help the Slovenians.