03.07.2015, 08:36
Hosts Spain dominate main round at Lloret 2015

The Spanish women's and men's teams played a perfect main round at Lloret 2015 on Friday, while defending men's champions Croatia came first in their group despite an unexpected defeat

Hosts Spain dominate main round at Lloret 2015

It was a perfect day for the Spanish hosts on Friday at the Beach Handball EURO, as both the men's and the women's team won their respective main round group to enter tomorrow's quarter-finals from the best possible position.

The Spanish men's team started the two teams' demonstration of dominance when they beat Hungary 2:1 in the morning; and it was just an hour later that the women followed suit with another shoot-out win, 2:1 against Italy.

In the afternoon the men again needed the shoot-out to overcome their opponents, but luck and the better nerves were on their side as they beat Russia 2:1 which at the same time meant the top ranking in Group II.

They will face Norway on Saturday who were not able to win a main round game and hence finished fourth in Group I.

In the second last women's game Spain then propelled themselves into the position of one of the tournament's hot medal candidates, when they beat defending champions Hungary 2:0.

Their second win also secured them the top position in Group I and sees them face Poland on Saturday in the quarter-final.

Croatia stumble but don't fall

In Group I of the men's event defending champions Croatia started as expected with a 2:0 win against Norway, before they faced some strong opposition from their neighbours Serbia.

They forced Croatia into the shoot-outs and eventually even won the game, and it was only thanks to Croatia's best 'period difference' that the defending champions still came first.

They will now face Germany in tomorrow's quarter-final. The remaining men's quarter-finals are Serbia vs Hungary and Russia vs Ukraine.

In the women's event the battle for the top spot in Group II became a true thriller.

Ahead of the last game Norway looked as if they were likely to occupy the top spot. But when the Scandinavians lost 1:2 against Russia, and Netherlands at the same time beat Poland 2:1, the ranking changed completely and eventually Netherlands found themselves ranked first, with Norway in second and Russia in third.

Netherlands will hence play Italy in the quarter-finals, while Norway play Ukraine and Hungary face Russia. The semi-finals in the men's as well as the women's event will also be played on Saturday.

In the men's placement round Italy currently lead ahead of Poland, Switzerland and Sweden.

In the women's placement round Croatia currently rank first ahead of Switzerland, Sweden, Serbia, Germany and Montenegro.

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