Budapest (AP) – Norway has secured fifth place at the European Handball Championship and thus the direct ticket for the 2023 World Cup in Sweden and Poland.
Thanks to a last-second goal from Harald Reinkind from German record champions THW Kiel, the 2020 bronze medalist beat Iceland in Budapest 34:33 (27:27, 16:12) after extra time. The best thrower for the winner was Kiel’s top star Sander Sagosen with eight goals, while Omar Ingi Magnusson from Bundesliga leaders SC Magdeburg scored ten times for the Icelanders.
Like world champions Denmark, Olympic champions France, European champions Spain and the two organizers, the Norwegians are sure to be at the World Championships next year. The other European starting places will be awarded in playoff games. The pairings will be drawn in Budapest on Saturday.