The race for the 15th spot at the EHF EURO 2014 is on

The qualification race for the Men’s EHF EURO 2014 is as close as it was never before. Potentially 16 nations still have the chance to finish third in their respective qualification group.

It is for the first time in EHF EURO history that not only the top two teams from each group qualify, but also the best third ranked team from all qualification groups.

For the ‘ranking of the third ranked teams’ only the matches of the third ranked team against the group winners and the runner-ups will be taken into consideration.

Due to the current constellation in the qualification groups, numerous outcomes are technically still possible. eurohandball.com had a look at arguably the most realistic ones.

Group 1:

FYR Macedonia are currently ranked third, but at the moment they have zero points in the ‘ranking of the third ranked teams’. If they beat Portugal, they qualify as second ranked team.

Portugal need a draw to qualify. FYR Macedonia would then have one point in the ‘ranking of the third ranked teams’.

If Portugal lose, they have two points in their account in this ranking.

Group 2:

Germany are currently ranked third and have two points in ‘ranking of the third ranked teams’.

If Czech Republic lose against Montenegro and Germany beat Israel, Czech Republic then rank third behind Germany, with then two points in ‘ranking of the third ranked teams’.

Israel came third, if they beat Germany by at least four goals, as they lost the first leg 27:30.

Group 3:

Lithuania (currently 3rd) and Turkey (currently 4th) only have a chance to obtain any points for the ‘ranking of the third ranked teams’ if they beat France (against Turkey) and Norway (against Lithuania).

Group 4:

Latvia are currently ranked third and have one point in the ‘ranking of the third ranked teams’. If they win against Croatia, they would have three points in their account in this ranking.

Slovakia can only come third if they beat Hungary and Latvia lose against Croatia.

Group 5:

Netherlands (currently 3rd) and Ukraine (currently 4th) only have a chance to obtain any points for the ‘ranking of the third ranked teams’ if they beat Sweden (against Netherlands) and Poland (against Ukraine).

Group 6:

Slovenia are currently ranked third and have one point in the ‘ranking of the third ranked teams’. If they beat Belarus, Slovenia qualify for Denmark as second ranked team.

In any other case, Belarus finish ahead of them. If Belarus lose, they have three points in the ‘ranking of the third ranked teams’ and are one of the favourites for the 15th spot.

Group 7:

Three teams can finish third in the end. If Serbia finish third, they are the current leader in the best third ranked team ranking with 5 points and a goal difference of -1.

Austria have three points in the ‘ranking of the third ranked teams’ from their matches against Serbia, while Russia are currently on two points in this ranking.