15.06.2013, 09:00
The final spots for Denmark will be awarded on Sunday

Eight EHF EURO 2014 qualification matches throw off on 16 June. Three of them are direct duels for the berth at the final tournament

The final spots for Denmark will be awarded on Sunday

The final countdown for the potential participants at the EHF EURO 2014 is ticking.

In the remaining eight of overall 84 matches in the second qualification phase the final spots for the tournament in Denmark will be confirmed on Sunday (16 June).

In groups 1, 6 and 7 a direct duel will decide which team will place second.

And also the best third ranked team of all seven groups and therefore the 15th qualifier for the EHF EURO 2014 will be known.

Group 1:

Spain vs. Switzerland; Sunday, 13:00 hrs. local time in Leon

Fyr Macedonia vs. Portugal; Sunday, 20:30 hrs. local time in Skopje

Spain are the confirmed group winners with already ten points, so their match against Switzerland (1 point) has no relevance for the final ranking.

In the other match, FYR Macedonia (4 points) and Portugal (5 points) fight in Skopje for the ticket to Denmark.

The hosts need to win (and want to take revenge for the unexpected 25:32 defeat in the first leg) to proceed, a draw is already enough for Portugal to clinch their berth.

But no matter if FYR Macedonia or Portugal finish third, due to their previous results they have no chance to hope for the 15th spot at the EHF EURO 2014 which is granted to the best third ranked team.

Group 5:

Sweden vs. Netherlands; Sunday, 18:15 hrs. local time in Alingsas - first leg: 33:31

Poland vs. Ukraine; Sunday, 20:00 hrs. local time in Zielona Gora - first leg: 29:20

Sweden and Poland have qualified for Denmark, Netherlands and Ukraine are out of the race – the only decision which will be made concerns the final ranking in this group.

If the two top teams (both have eight points in their account) win their respective matches, Sweden are number one after winning the direct encounter against Poland by aggregate goals.

Group 6:

Slovenia vs. Belarus; Sunday, 18:00 hrs. local time in Ljubljana

Iceland vs. Romania; Sunday, 19:45 hrs. local time in Reykjavik

There is incredible tension before the decisive battle in Ljubljana: As Iceland are already qualified for the EHF EURO and only need a dr

aw against Romania to remain on top of the group, Slovenia and Belarus face off for the second ticket to Denmark.

Belarus (7 points in their account) only need a draw to finish second, Slovenia (5 points) have to win to proceed to Denmark.

But even in this case, Belarus still have good chances to follow Slovenia to Denmark, as - after their clear victory against Iceland on Wednesday - they would have three points against the two top ranked teams in their account in the race for the 15th spot.

If Slovenia lose, they are definitely out of the race for the 15th spot with just one point; in case of a draw they would have two points.

Group 7:

Serbia vs. Bosnia Herzegovina; Sunday, 19:00 hrs. local time in Nis

Austria vs. Russia; Sunday, 19:15 hrs. local time in Innsbruck

A lot is still possible in this hotly contested group: Serbia (7 points) are already qualified for the EHF EURO 2014 courtesy of the Austrian draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Thursday (13 June).

Austria have to beat Russia to qualify as either first or second ranked team in this group (depending on Serbia's result against Bosnia-Herzegovina) for the final tournament.

The same holds true for Russia, if they do not want to be dependent on other matches' results.

However, a draw for Austria would also be enough. Even though they would have then lost the direct encounter against Russia (Austria lost the first leg 31:38) and find themselves ranked third (provided that Serbia do not lose), they also would have four points in their account from the matches against the teams the ranked first and second - more than any other potential contestant in the 'ranking of the third ranked teams'.

An different constellation arises, if Serbia lose and Austria draw with Russia: then all three teams would have 7 points in their account.

Then an internal ranking concerning these three teams will come into effect.

In this ranking Serbia will finish on top with 5 points (two wins against Russia, one draw against Austria) ahead of Austria (4) and Russia (3).

TEXT: Björn Pazen / ts