Denmark is there, France is just around the corner – but Iceland can still hope: The race for places in the semi-finals of the European Handball Championship is not yet over in group 1 of the main round.
World champion Denmark defeated the Netherlands 35:23 (21:12) in Budapest on Monday and is now safely in the semi-finals with eight points.
Behind, however, it remains open, the two best teams in the group of six qualify for the semi-finals. Olympic champion France easily prevailed against Montenegro in the evening with 36:27 (16:12) and is in second place with six points.
Iceland, on the other hand, lost to Croatia 22:23 (12:10) and is still on four points, but still has chances.
The Icelanders owe this to their coup last Saturday: They surprisingly won the direct duel with record world champions France (29:21), so if they draw level on points on the last day of the game, that would be enough for second place.
France have to play against the strong Danes at the end on Wednesday, Iceland plays against Montenegro.
On Monday, Denmark’s backcourt star Mikkel Hansen was one of the best throwers of the encounter with seven goals, only team-mate Mathias Gidsel was even stronger with nine goals.
Second division professional from ASV Hamm-Westfalen in a good mood
For the Netherlands, Dani Baijens of German second division side ASV Hamm-Westfalen stood out with six goals.
The best Frenchman was not top star Nikola Karabatic (4), but backcourt player Dika Mem (7). Montenegro’s most successful thrower was Milos Vujovic (7) from Füchse Berlin.
One of the most conspicuous Icelanders was Omar Ingi Magnusson from SC Magdeburg with five goals, on the other hand Ivan Martinovic from TSV Hannover-Burgdorf got the same result.