2013 European Beach Handball Championships move to the main round

It is half-time at the 2013 European Beach Handball Championships in Randers: the preliminary round has concluded, the main round beckons on Friday (12 July) for eight men's and eight women's teams.

In group A of the men's event the defending champions from Croatia lost their final group phase match against Ukraine 1:2 after shoot-out, but still finished ahead of the Hungary in second, Ukraine in third (all three teams are on eight points) and Serbia (2) in fourth.

But even though they top the group, Croatia will take no points with them to the main round as they lost their match against third-ranked Ukraine, which will follow them into main round group 1, where they will start with two points instead.

The same applies to Norway in group B, who, even though they are first ranked, lost their only match against third-placed Denmark, who will advance with them to main round group 1 and take the two points.

Hungary, who will start with two points, and Serbia complete main round group 1, while Russia (with two points in their account) and Spain will start in main round group 2.

Sweden and Turkey (5th and 6th in group A) as well as Poland, Switzerland and Italy (ranked 5th to 7th in group B) will play the consolation round.

The entire main round will be played on Friday, 12 July. For an overview of the current standings click here.

Denmark and Hungary remain undefeated in women's event

In the women's event an undefeated Hungarian side (10 points) as well as Ukraine (8), Russia (6) and Norway (4) qualified from group A for the main round.

In the entire group phase Hungary only gave two sets from their hands, winning the shoot-out against Norway as well as against Spain.

Hungary, who take two points with them, and Russia advance to main round group 1, while Ukraine, who also take two points with them, together with Norway will be placed in main round group 2.

Having come to Randers with only three players left from squad that won gold two years ago at the European Championship in Umag, the opposition proved to be too strong for the defending champions from Croatia.

As fifth ranked team they have to settle with the consolation round which will be played among the teams ranked fifth to sixth (Croatia and Poland) from group A and fifth to seventh in group B (Greece, Switzerland and Sweden).

The teams that play the consolation round take no points with them. That applies to the men's and the women's event.

The Danish hosts top group B with the maximum of six wins from six matches. Their last match against third-ranked Italy on Thursday night was hotly contested one with the hosts winning the first set 14:13 before losing the second 10:12.

The Danes then proved to have the stronger nerves, winning the decisive shoot-out 5:3.

Spain (10 points) move into the main round as the second ranked team from group B ahead of Italy (8).

Fourth-ranked Turkey benefitted from Greece's last match slip against Switzerland.

A win would have seen the Greek team advance, but as they lost 1:2 against Switzerland while Turkey won 2:0 against Sweden, it became the Turkish side that celebrated.

Denmark and Spain will take two points each to the main round. For an overview of the results in the women's event click here.

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.