Austria’s handball players surprised on Sunday (January 14, 2024) with a 28:28 (12:14) draw against Croatia at the European Handball Championship and can even hope for the main round. Iceland also maintains its chances of making it into the main round.
In front of 13,293 spectators in Mannheim, the Austrian team around Bundesliga star Nikola Bilyk from THW Kiel missed the start (1:5/4th), but never gave up against the three-time European runner-up from Croatia.
In the heated final phase, the Croatians still had the opportunity to win. But the last throw didn’t go into the goal. In addition, a quarter of an hour before the end, Ivan Martinovic from MT Melsungen injured his shoulder.
Lackluster performance from Spain
Group opponents Spain came back after the 29:39 defeat at the start against Croatia and beat Romania 36:24 (17:12). It was a lackluster performance from the Iberians, especially in the early stages they were prone to errors, so the Romanians remained on equal terms.
It was a balanced performance until almost the 20th minute, before the Spaniards picked up the pace and were able to break away, especially through counterattacks and the second wave. Stuttgart’s Daniel Fernández particularly stood out; he was voted MVP with six goals.
Spanien Canellas: “It’s war hart”
While the Iberians can still hope to advance before the decisive duel with Austria on Tuesday, the Romanians have to travel home after the preliminary round.
“Nobody expected the game against Croatia to turn out like this. We knew it would be difficult, but the way the game went, it was tough,” said Spain backcourt player Joan Canellas. “Even if it wasn’t perfect against Romania, when you fall so low, it’s not easy to get up again. We did it.”
Next last minute crime thriller for Iceland
In Group C, Iceland narrowly beat Montenegro with 31:30 (17:15). Magdeburg’s Gisli Kristjánsson scored the decisive goal shortly before the end. The best thrower was compatriot and SCM teammate Omar Ingi Magnússon with seven hits.
Hungary already qualified for the main round
The Icelanders, who fought for a draw against Serbia in the last minute on Friday, can reach the main round on their own. To do this they have to win against Hungary on Tuesday. Hungary qualified early for the next round on Sunday evening thanks to a 28:27 (14:13) against Serbia.
