06.04.2013, 09:34
Tickets to Denmark ready to be booked

EHF EURO 2014 qualification preview for 7 April: Eleven stunning re-matches take place on Sunday with world champions, Spain, having good chances to be among the first to qualify for the final tournament in Denmark

Tickets to Denmark ready to be booked

Eleven matches of round 4 of the EHF EURO 2014 qualification will be played on Sunday, 7 April. And some teams can already clinch their berth for the final tournament in Denmark.

The final two rounds will be played in June. The two best ranked teams of each group and the best third ranked team qualify for the EHF EURO 2014 in Denmark.

The best third ranked team is determined as follows: A ranking of those teams ranked third in each group (a total of seven teams) will be established.

This ranking will include only the results of those four matches of the third ranked team against the teams ranked first and second in the respective group.

The matches against the teams ranked fourth in the group will not be considered.

A complete overview of all qualification matches can be found here.

Several EHF EURO 2014 qualification matches are available via live stream on ehfTV.com and via the EHF's dedicated live ticker.

Group 1: Spain vs. Fyr Macedonia; Sunday, 12:30 hrs. local time, Guadalajara - First leg: 24:17

World champions Spain are the clear favourite on home ground against FYR Macedonia, not only because of the confident away victory on Thursday.

FYR Macedonia are under pressure. If Portugal win against Switzerland and the Macedonians lose in Guadalajara, they then would already be three points behind the Portuguese team.  

If Spain win, they would already be qualified for the EHF EURO in Denmark.

Group 1: Portugal vs. Switzerland; Sunday, 17:00 hrs. local time, Sto. Tirso - First leg: 26:26

"We were able to keep up with a team which is quite far ahead (of us) in the international ranking,” Swiss coach Goran Perkovac said after the thrilling match on Thursday, in which his team drew despite an intermediate four goal gap.

However, Switzerland are on the bottom of the ranking with one point in their account, while Portugal have three points.

And they have proved their strengths on home ground by beating FYR Macedonia in the first round.

"We gave a point from our hands and we are disappointed with this draw," said Portuguese coach Rolando Freitas.

"So now we are one point short of our expectations. Anything else than a home victory would be another disappointment."

Group 2: Germany vs. Czech Republic; Sunday, 14:20 hrs. local time, Halle - First leg: 22:24

Never before has a German men’s team missed an EHF EURO final tournament, but after losing in Brno against Czech Republic, they are now faced with this possibility.

"We committed too many unforced errors against a strong Czech team. Now we are under big pressure on home ground," German coach Martin Heuberger said after the defeat on Thursday.

Czech coach Jaroslav Hudeček hopes "for an open match."

He also said: "It was very important that we won, no matter the final goal difference. The home court is an advantage for the Germans, but we want to grab our chance."

The situation after their second defeat in their third match is quite tricky for the Germans, who still need to replace their injured team captain and defence specialist Oliver Roggisch.

If they lose again and Montenegro win against Israel, they cannot reach the first or second position in the group anymore, and could then only hope  to qualify as best third ranked team.

In case of a German victory the decision for the top spots will be postponed – and finally maybe the goal difference of the encounter on Sunday decides about "do or die".

Group 3: Lithuania vs. Turkey; Sunday, 16:15 hrs. local time, Vilnius -First leg: 26:27

The first leg was on eye level for 60 minutes, but the Turkish side is arguably known to be much weaker in away matches than on home ground.

If Latvia win, both teams would be equal with two points each, which means that both are in the underdog's role for the upcoming matches against  France and Norway.

If Turkey take their second victory, they still can hope to have a small chance to proceed.

Group 4: Slovakia vs. Latvia; Sunday, 17:30 hrs. local time, Povazská Bystrica - First leg: 24:28

Eight injured key players, who had to be replaced, proved to be too much of a burden for Slovakia to win their first points in the first leg against Latvia.

But coach Peter David hopes for an upswing on home ground.

"The qualification for the EHF EURO seems to be far away, but we want to show our real face on Sunday."

One important key will be to stop Latvian shooter Dainis Kristopans, who plays club handball for Slovak champions, Tatran Presov.

In case of a second victory Latvia increase their chances for an EHF EURO ticket, but the challenge to beat Hungary and Croatia in June, which would be necessary to definitely secure a berth, is a big one.

Group 5: Netherlands vs. Ukraine; Sunday, 14:00 hrs. local time, Almere - First leg: 24:28

Despite the defeat in Kiev on Tuesday, Dutch coach Joop Fiege is confident to win the first match in this qualification phase.

"Ukraine have more international experience with some players participating in the VELUX EHF Champions League, but on home ground we play differently.

"The most important thing is to reduce the number of mistakes then we have a chance to beat them."

Netherlands still have zero points in their account, while Ukraine took their first victory in the first leg.

However, as both teams face Poland and Sweden in their respective final matches in June, they will have a tough time finishing either first or second in this group.

Group 5: Poland vs. Sweden; Sunday, 20:00 hrs. local time, Gdansk - First leg: 21:28

Weakened by injuries, Poland went down in the second half of the first leg against Sweden, conceding defeat for the first time in this qualification phase.

While hoping for the return of Krzysztof Lijewski for the re-match in Gdansk, head coach Michael Biegler this time wants to see the match turn in his team's favour.

2012 Olympic silver medallists, Sweden, that top the group with six points, have clearly benefitted from the comeback of Kim Andersson, but due to the usually frenetic atmosphere in Gdansk, the hosts could benefit from the home advantage this time.

"But in case our middle block of the defence works like it did on Thursday, we have a chance to make an important step towards Denmark,” Swedish coach Staffan Olsson said.

If his team wins and the Netherland beat Ukraine, Sweden are already qualified for the EHF EURO 2014.

Group 6: Belarus vs. Romania; Sunday, 15:00 hrs. local time, Minsk - First leg:  34:31

Can Belarus' left back Siarhei Rutenka put on another gala or can Romania take revenge for Wednesday’s defeat?

This is the question before the re-match in Minsk.

As the visiting team (still on zero points) is already looking at its last chance to keep his hopes for the qualification for Denmark alive, Belarus (three points) can make another step forward, so that they have their fate in their own hands before the final matches against Iceland and at Slovenia in rounds 5 and 6.

Rutenka is the current leader of the top scorer ranking with 31 goals overall, including the eleven he netted on Wednesday.

Group 6: Iceland vs. Slovenia; Sunday, 16:00 hrs. local time, Reykjavik - First leg: 29:28

After a thrilling first leg, Iceland can make a major step towards the EHF EURO 2014 on Sunday.

But Slovenia will want to take revenge for the defeat in penultimate stages of the match against the 'Vikings'.

Coach Boris Denic mentions: "We lost our system in the crucial stage of the match. But we are eager to gain the points in Iceland, because we were not the weaker, but the unluckier team in the first leg."

His main aim is to stop left wing Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson, the top scorer of Wednesday’s clash.

"The defeat was tough, but not fatal (for us)," Denic added.

Iceland top the group with six points, while Slovenia and Belarus currently battle it out for the second position with three points each.

If Romania win in Minsk against Belarus and Iceland beat Slovenia, the 'Vikings' are already qualified for the EHF EURO and also confirmed as group winners.

Group 7: Russia vs. Bosnia Herzegovina; Sunday, 16:00 hrs. local time, Krasnodar - First leg: 32:23

Courtesy of  their second straight victory after the close defeat (30:29) to Serbia in the first qualifier, Russia are back on track and are expected to earn their next two points against Bosnia and Herzegovina that still have zero points on their account.

Bosnia and Herzegovina were neither unable to stop the tall Russian shooters in the first leg, nor could they interfere Timur Dibirov’s counter-attacks.

In case of a Russian victory the base for them is built for a ticket to Denmark – but the tough clashes against Austria and Serbia are still ahead for the team of coach Oleg Rymanov.

Group 7: Serbia vs. Austria; Sunday, 18:30 hrs. local time, Zrenjanin- First leg: 28:31

"We have shown a brilliant character – and it is not usual that a small handball nation beats a titan like Serbia.

"We hope to continue this way on Sunday,” said Austrian coach Patrekur Johanesson after his team's win against Serbia in the match on Wednesday.

Both teams currently have four points each, meaning that the winner will make a huge step towards Denmark, however, the final decision about the EHF EURO tickets in this group will only be taken in the final rounds 5 and 6 in June.

Serbian coach Veselin Vukovic has analysed the defeat and hopes "for a clear improvement in defence".

In case of a draw or a defeat with a gap of less than three goals, the EURO 2010 host have won the direct encounter, which might prove decisive in the final ranking.

However, on home turf, Serbia are in the favourite's role.

TEXT: Björn Pazen / ts