EHF European Championship Qualifications: France, Denmark and Hungary booked the ticket for EURO 2016 in Poland

Sunday, May 03, 2015

EHF European Championship Qualifications: France, Denmark and Hungary booked the ticket for EURO 2016 in Poland

Today on schedule was round 4 of qualifications for EHF European Champions 2016.

Group 1:

Netherlands – Turkey 31 – 21 (13-9)

Croatia – Norway 31 – 25 (16-17)

Only four days ago Croatia lost in Stavanger against Norway, but this time they were prepare. Croatia was in the lead during most part of the game but not more than two goals lead. With this win Croatia is better than Norway due to goal difference. In second match Netherland beat Turkey with 10 goals difference. With this win Netherland is still hoping to reach one of first two places that lead into European Championship.

Croatia 6 pts

Norway 6 pts

Netherlands 4 pts

Turkey 0 pts

Group 2:

Denmark – Belarus 32-23 (18-11)

Lithuania – Bosnia and Herzegovina 19-15 (10-7)

Lithuania manages to surprise Bosnia and Herzegovina and to win 19-15 in Kaunas. In a strange game were both teams lack of ideas in attack Lithuania was controlling whole game and didn’t allow Bosnia and Herzegovina to come near them. Denmark beat Belarus with 9 goals lead and secures their spot in European Championship.

Denmark [Q] 8 pts

Bosnia and Herzegovina 3 pts

Belarus 3 pts

Lithuania 2 pts

Group 3:

Slovakia – Latvia 22-23 (16-10)

Slovenia – Sweden 28-28 (13-16)

Dragan Gajic was the man who saves Slovenia from another defeat from Sweden. Sweden was only 2 seconds away from reaching European Championship, but Gajic goal from penalty denied them that opportunity until the next round. In second game Latvia made miracle turn in second half to beat Slovakia and to leave them in-game for European Championship.

Sweden 7 pts

Slovenia 5 pts

Latvia 4 pts

Slovakia 0 pts

Group 4:

Serbia – Iceland 25-25 (13-11)

Montenegro – Israel 33-27 (16-13)

After their loss in Reykjavík 4 days ago, Serbia was close to beating Iceland and taking first place in group. But some good plays from guests in last part of the game manage to get them a draw and second place in group. Montenegro beat Israel and after draw in Nis between Serbia and Iceland takes the first place in group.

Montenegro 6 pts

Iceland 5 pts

Serbia 5 pts

Israel 0 pts

Group 5:

Hungary – Russia 29-25 (15-11)

Portugal – Ukraine 34-24 (19-12)

Hungary manages to beat Russia 2^nd time in four days. Similar to first game Hungary was dominating while Russia is still miles away from force that they used to be. In second game Portugal again beat Ukraine, this game decide before the half-time break when Portugal manage to get 7 goals lead.

Hungary [Q] 8 pts

Portugal 4 pts

Russia 2 pts

Ukraine 0 pts

Group 6:

Czech Republic – Switzerland 29-25 (15-13)

France – Macedonia 35-24 (17-10)

France didn’t give a lot of chance to Macedonia in Toulouse. France started strong and took early lead, before the half-time game was already decided with big 17-10 lead for France. With this win France has qualified for European Championship. Czech Republic beat Switzerland and took the 2^nd place from Macedonia in group.

France [Q] 8 pts

Czech Republic 5 pts

Macedonia 3 pts

Switzerland 0 pts

Group 7:

Austria – Finland 29-22 (14-14)

Spain – Germany 26-20 (11-8)

In Leon Spain manage to beat Germany and to repay them for loss in Mannheim 4 days ago. We saw a different Spain better in defense. Germany had their opportunities but Spain goalkeeper Sterbik was excellent today. With so many attacks missed Germany couldn’t hope to get back home with some points. In second game Austria manage to break Finland in second half and to keep their hopes alive.