The German handball players received the necessary support on Monday evening and now have it in their own hands – how it can work out in the semi-finals of the European Handball Championship.
Since the Austrian 28:33 defeat against France on Monday evening, it has been clear: If the German national handball team wins against Hungary and Croatia, they will move into the semi-finals of the home European Championship as second in the group. Theoretically, there are eight more variants. France, Hungary and even the draw could also play decisive roles – and even a German victory could be enough.
This is what the table looks like:
| Place | team | Gates | Diff. | Pt. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | France | 139:122 | 17 | 8th |
2 | Hungary | 91:81 | 10 | 4 |
3 | Austria | 108:112 | -4 | 4 |
4 | Germany | 78:79 | -1 | 3 |
5 | Iceland | 116:128 | -12 | 2 |
6 | Croatia | 116:126 | -10 | 1 |
This is how the German team reached the semi-finals of the European Handball Championship:
- 1 – Germany gets two wins against Hungary and Croatia.
- 2 – Germany gets one Victory against Hungary and a Draw against CroatiaAustria a maximum of one point against Iceland.
- 3 – Germany gets one Victory against Hungary and a Draw against CroatiaAustria wins against Iceland, but has a worse goal difference, fewer goals scored or loses the draw.
- 4 – Germany gets one Win by at least two goals against Hungary and plays draw against CroatiaAustria wins against Iceland, Hungary wins against France – Germany wins the three-way match with Hungary and Austria.
- 5 – Germany plays draw against Hungary and wins against CroatiaAustria gets a maximum of one point from the games against France and Iceland, Hungary loses against France.
- 6 – Germany plays draw against Hungary and wins against CroatiaHungary loses against France, Austria wins against Iceland, but as in case 3 has the worse goal difference or fewer goals scored compared to Germany or loses the draw.
- 7 – Germany wins against Hungary and loses against CroatiaAustria loses to Iceland, Hungary loses to France.
- 8th – Germany plays a draw against Hungary and CroatiaAustria loses against Iceland, Hungary loses by at least twelve goals against France or loses by exactly eleven goals against France, but has scored fewer goals overall than Germany.
This is based on the rule that in the event of a tie, the direct comparison (points, goal difference, number of hits scored) applies first, then the goal difference and the number of hits scored from all games. If this does not lead to a decision, a draw is made.
The French have secured the semi-finals, only Hungary can challenge them for group victory. To do this, the Hungarians would have to win against Germany and the direct duel with France on Wednesday.
Second in the group will face Denmark in the semi-finals
The group winner would also avoid top favorites Denmark until the final. The world champion has been roaring through this European Handball Championship so far, has already won the group before the last day of the main round in Hamburg and will face the second-placed team in the German group in the semi-finals on Friday. Whoever wins the Cologne main round group will face Sweden.