France, Croatia on course but Germany out in Last 16

Germany have become the most notable casualty in Wednesday’s Last 16 at the Men’s 19 World Championship in Georgia.

A year after winning bronze at the Men's 18 EHF EURO, Germany were thrown out of the world title race following their 28:24 defeat by Denmark.

Other tournament favourites, including last year’s M18 EHF EURO finalists France and Croatia, did advance to the quarter-finals, which will be played on Thursday (match schedule) with just one non-European nation remaining, Japan.

Livestreams of all matches are available on the website of the International Handball Federation.

With left back Emil Laerke scoring 12 times, Denmark secured their victory over Germany early in the second half. They extended their 12:11 half-time lead to 16:11 and then to 19:13, and didn’t let Germany back into the match.

Having won the under-19 world title a record three times in the past, Denmark look like heading towards another strong result.

Next, they are up against Russia, who overcame an 18:14 half-time deficit to edge South Korea 32:31. Centre back Sergei Kosorotov scored his 15^th goal of the match in the closing minute to send coach Nikolay Chigarev’s team through to the quarter-finals.

In the same half of the draw, 2015 champions France are taking on Portugal.

Not unexpectedly, France proved way too strong for Chile (43:21) in the Last 16, while Portugal beat Tunisia 34:25 to continue their good run at their maiden M19 World Championship.

In the other half of the draw, Croatia will be up against Sweden.

In a rematch of their semi-final at last year’s M18 EHF EURO, Croatia defeated Balkan neighbours Slovenia again by a four-goal margin. This time the final score was 29:25, including 11 goals by Croatia right back Ivan Martinovic.

Sweden were in fine form recording a 31:25 win over Iceland, who had been unbeaten in five group matches of the preliminary round but captain Teitur Örn Einarsson’s 14 goals against Sweden were not enough to keep their streak going.

Finally, Spain are facing Japan, the only participant left from outside of Europe.

Spain led Poland by four goals at half-time (15:11) and retained that margin until the end of the match, 27:23. Alongside France, Spain are the only unbeaten team left in the competition.

Japan produced a spectacular comeback to defeat Egypt 31:30. They were down by four goals (14:10) at half-time and even by seven (23:16) with only 17 minutes left, but still managed to turn the tide.

Their quarter-final spot is already Japan’s best ever result in a world championship of any age category.

Photos: IHF / Stephane Pillaud