14.06.2013, 11:05
Day of decision for Germany and Czech Republic

The focus is on group 2 for Saturday’s (15 June) final matches in the EHF EURO 2014 qualification

Day of decision for Germany and Czech Republic

Six of overall 14 matches of the final qualification round for the EHF EURO 2014 in Denmark will be played on Saturday (15 June).

As the four teams that will proceed to the final tournament in groups 3 and 4 are already decided, group 2 is in the focus, with the spotlight being on the duel between Czech Republic and Germany, who do not face each other but still battle for second rank which guarantees the qualification for Denmark.

Group 2

Germany vs. Israel; Saturday, 14:00 hrs. local time in Aschaffenburg 

Czech Republic vs. Montenegro;  Saturday, 14:00 hrs. local time in Brno

Montenegro, with eight points now, are already qualified for the EHF EURO 2014 following their second victory against Germany on Wednesday (12 June).

Czech Republic (six points), which host Montenegro on Saturday, have the odds in their favour to follow them to Denmark.

A draw is already enough to finish second in the group for Filip Jicha, who returns to the team after he missed the match against Israel on Wednesday, and his teammates.

A victory by two or more goals would even bring the group victory for Czech Republic as they lost the first leg 22:23.

Germany (four points), which host Israel, need a big helping hand from Montenegro if they want to qualify for the EHF EURO in Denmark.

Only if they beat Israel and Montenegro win against Czech Republic, Germany reach the second position. Czech Republic and Germany would then be level with six points each, but Germany have won the direct encounter.

No matter if it is Germany or Czech Republic, the team that is third ranked team in this group has only a minimum chance to be become best third ranked team which also qualifies for Denmark, as both would only have two points from their matches against the first and second ranked teams in their account.

Group 3:

France vs. Turkey; Saturday, 15:00 hrs. local time in Clermont-Ferrand

Norway vs. Lithuania; Saturday, 19:10 hrs. local time in Arendal

Everything has been decided in group 3. The final matches are only a farewell tour for Lithuania and Turkey, which both have no chance to reach the 15th spot for Denmark.

France are confirmed as group winners with the maximum of ten points from five matches, Norway are also qualified for the final tournament and will definitely finish on the second position.

Group 4:

Croatia vs. Latvia; Saturday, 18:00 hrs. local time in Umag

Hungary vs. Slovakia; Saturday, 19:00 hrs. local time in Szeged

Croatia and Hungary have clinched their berth for Denmark. It only remains to be decided which team will finish on top of the group.

After Hungary’s draw against Latvia on Wednesday (12 June), Croatia only need a draw in their match to finish on top of the group.

Hungary need to win against Slovakia and have to hope for a Croatian home defeat against Latvia.

If this happens, Latvia even had a chance to reach the 15th spot for Denmark as the best third ranked team from all groups with then 3 points against the first and second ranked team in their group in their account.

TEXT: Björn Pazen / ts