Denmark and Iceland waste no time in securing semi-final berth

A dramatic first day of the Men’s 18 EHF EURO Main Round saw Denmark and Iceland progress to the semi-finals, while four teams remain in contention ahead of Wednesday’s matches.

Group 1

Croatia’s toughest test of their home campaign came on Tuesday as they faced fellow unbeaten side Denmark in Koprivnica.

As they have done throughout the championship, Denmark spread their attacking threat beautifully, getting 11 men on the scoreboard in a low-scoring affair.

The Danes led 13:11 at the break and although Croatia stayed in touch, they could not turn the match around and suffered their first defeat, 22:20.

That victory sends Denmark through to the semi-finals, while Croatia face France to decide second place, after ‘Les Bleus’ beat Serbia with relative ease, 31:26.

Group 2

The competition’s top scorer Haukur Thrastarson was in fine form in front of goal yet again for Iceland as they earned a semi-final berth with a win over Germany.

Left back Thrastarson scored nine in the 23:22 win, taking his tally to 33.

Germany now face Sweden in what is effectively a quarter-final, after Sweden overcame Spain in a thrilling battle in Varazdin.

Spain held the lead and possession of the ball in the final minute, but threw both away as Sweden equalised, then won a penalty from an audacious full-court in-flight goal attempt.

IFK Kristianstad’s Valter Chrintz stepped up to score the penalty with the last throw of the match to claim a 28:27 win and end Spain’s medal hopes.

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