After the German national team, the next co-favorites have moved into the main round at the European Handball Championships for men in Hungary and Slovakia. Olympic champion France reached the finals with a pristine white slate ahead of Croatia, second at the European Championships, ex-champion Russia also qualified with three wins ahead of Norway, World Cup runners-up Sweden saved themselves with a last-minute draw as group runners-up like Montenegro the top twelve teams.
The Tre Kronor were in Group E against the Czech Republic at 27:27 (12:11) before the final minute. However, after the last equalizer, the Czechs didn’t manage to score the winning goal they needed.
Defending champions Spain had not shown any weaknesses in the third and last preliminary round match with 28:24 (14:12) against the pointless bottom Bosnia and Herzegovina after qualifying for the main round.
France eliminated theoretical doubts about their further participation in the tournament with an overall clear 29:25 (16:7) against Serbia in the Zitter Group C and is joined by Croatia after a 38:25 (18:13) against Ukraine.
Russia also progressed as Group F winners with a 36-27 (19-9) win over co-hosts Slovakia with an unblemished record of three wins in three games. Norway secured second place with a 35:29 (16:16) win against Lithuania.
Montenegro qualified in Group A after World Champion Denmark by beating Slovenia 33:32 (16:19). The Danes got rid of their last preliminary round task against North Macedonia with a 31:21 (15:11).
Germany had already qualified early for the main round against Austria on Sunday with their second win in the second game of Group D. In the duel with Poland on Tuesday (6 p.m. / ZDF), the team of national coach Alfred Gislason is playing for group victory and the best possible starting position for the race in the main round for participation in the semi-finals.
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