With Croatia, Hungary and Iceland, three of the four main round opponents of the German handball players at the home European Championship have already been determined. The still unbeaten Croatians beat Romania 31:25 in Mannheim on Tuesday (January 16, 2024) and thus secured their ticket to the second phase of the tournament ahead of the final duel in Group B between Spain and Austria.
Hungary and Iceland, who meet in Munich on Tuesday evening, will definitely be there too. Both teams benefited from Serbia’s 29-30 defeat against Montenegro, both of which were eliminated from the tournament. The fourth opponent will be determined on Tuesday evening between Spain and Austria.
Switzerland loses and France also qualifies early
Even before the end of the group against Germany (8.30 p.m./sportschau.de), handball world champion France has secured the ticket for the European Championship main round. The pursuers, Switzerland, lost in Berlin against North Macedonia with 27:29 (9:13) and, despite twelve goals from Andy Schmid, missed the victory they needed to be able to overtake France in the event of a heavy defeat against the DHB selection.
France will also be in the group of German handball players, but will not meet the German team there. The result of the last preliminary round game between Germany and France will be taken into the main round.
German Main round games in Cologne
The DHB selection plays its main round games in Cologne. The top two in the group of six qualify for the semi-finals.