Gold for Sweden after superb second half

Sunday evening’s Men’s 18 EHF EURO Final between Sweden and Iceland was a topsy turvy affair, which ended with a 32:27 win and gold medal for the Swedes.

Only one team turned up for the opening 15 minutes as Sweden stormed into an 8:2 lead, but Iceland have been impressive throughout this championship and were not going to give in easily.

Iceland fought their way back and drew level at 12:12 just before the break, leaving the final beautifully in the balance.

.@hlandslaget , down 14:15, don't let that put them off and instantly equalise again. Superb handball being played by both teams here! #M18EHFEURO https://t.co/2Cs9FQKBAM pic.twitter.com/LJaJv5Z0PB

— EHF EURO (@EHFEURO) August 19, 2018

The third quarter of the match remained tight, before Sweden stepped up a couple of gears.

With the score at 21:20, Valter Chrintz and Ludvig Hallbäck took over, like they have so often, scoring 10 of the next 11 goals for Sweden and Iceland simply had no response.

Sweden’s 32:27 win was their second at this level and their first in 21 years. Earlier that day, Denmark claimed bronze with a 26:24 win over host nation Croatia.

Final whistle of #M18EHFEURO and it's @hlandslaget who take theahead of @HSI_Iceland . Iceland win a very deserved . After a match which took several turns, Sweden win 32:27. Congratulations to both teams! pic.twitter.com/EFmW6cwDvH

— EHF EURO (@EHFEURO) August 19, 2018

All-star team

Goalkeeper - Fabian Norsten (SWE)
Left wing - GAUTASON Dagur Gautson (ISL)
Left back - Juri Knorr (GER)
Centre back - Sadou Ntanzi (FRA)
Line player - Thor Christensen (DEN)
Right back - Jovica Nikolic (SRB)
Right wing - Valter Chrintz (SWE)
Best defender -  Gianfranco Pribetic (CRO)
MVP - Haukur Thrastarson (ISL)
Top scorer: 56 goals - Ludvig Hallbäck (SWE)

Final ranking

1. Sweden
2. Iceland
3. Denmark
4. Croatia
5. Spain
6. Germany
7. France
8. Serbia
9. Slovenia
10. Hungary
11. Norway
12. Portugal
13. Russia
14. Israel
15. Poland
16. Romania