Beach handball teams fight for main round spots

The wheat was separated a bit further from the chaff on day 2 of the 2013 European Beach Handball Championships in Randers.

In group A of the women's event Hungary and Ukraine kept their clear record with both teams winning their respective third and fourth match of the tournament.

The defending champions from Croatia are struggling in this group, having won only one match so far.

They have to beat Norway on Thursday (11 July) to definitely secure their spot in the main round.

In women's group B Spain sit on top with five wins from five matches, followed by Denmark that are on four from four.

Switzerland and Sweden are still on zero points but have two matches left to claim points and scrape into the main round.

The first four teams from each group qualify for this next phase, while the lower ranked teams will play the consolation round.

Croatia and Russia go strong in the men's event

The defending champions from Croatia are positioning themselves for yet another title in the men's event at European Beach Handball Championships.

With four wins from four matches they convincingly top group A ahead of Ukraine.

In group B Russia are the only remaining undefeated team - the other thing they have in common with Croatia is that both teams have topped the podium on two editions of the European Beach Handball Championships.

Norway could have made it an undefeated trio, but they lost 1:2 after shoot-out in a hotly contested last match of the day against Denmark.

On Thursday (10 July) the group phase for the men's and the women's event will come to a close.

The main round will then be played on Friday, quarter-finals and semi-finals will be played on Saturday and the finals take place on Sunday.

Information about the 2013 European Championships

The 2013 European Beach Handball Championship throws off in Randers, Denmark, from 9 to 14 July 2013.

Entry to the event area for spectators is free. There are no tickets necessary.

Defending champions in both the men's and the women's event are the teams from Croatia.

Matches from the main court are streamed live via www.kanalsport.dk/livestream. A live ticker is also available.

For more information and to keep up to date visit also the event's official website and become a fan of the EHF's beach handball Facebook page.