Day 6 of the 27th IHF Men’s World Championship is done and dusted, with another eight games being played at Egypt 2021 many more teams already advanced to the main round.

In a nail-biter, Sweden took a crucial 24:23 win against hosts Egypt after a dazzling game, that put the Pharaohs under serious pressure. The Swedish side now head to the main round with four points, as Egypt start the next phase on two points.

Despite losing the nerve-wrecking game against France 24:25, Switzerland are also through to the main round, after Norway’s commanding 38:29 win against Austria. 

Securing their best-ever start in the competition, Portugal recorded their third consecutive win (26:19) against Algeria, while Iceland also secured a main round berth from Group F, joining Portugal and Algeria, after their 31:23 win against Morocco.

The Russian Handball Federation Team start the main round on three points after their 30:26 victory against Republic of Korea, with Slovenia close behind on two points, after Ljubomir Vranjes’ side beat Belarus 29:25. 

Seven games will be played on Tuesday at Egypt 2021, as the teams play for the remaining main round tickets.

Virtually assured a main round berth, Spain will face Tunisia in Group B, with the Brazil versus Poland game is set to send at least one team to the next phase of the competition. 

In Group A, Germany face Hungary in a crucial all-European tie, while in Group D, Bahrain and DR Congo are battle it out for a main round spot.

Already through to the next phase, Qatar meet Croatia in a game that could shape both teams’ future at Egypt 2021 in Group C, as Japan need a draw against Angola to earn their own main round berth. 

The Cape Verde versus Uruguay tie, which would have decided the third team to progress from Group A is cancelled, due to the African side’s withdrawal caused by the COVID-19 challenges. At their Men’s World Championship debut, Uruguay are now through to the main round. 

You can find out more about the “wonderful, emotional” journey of the Uruguayan side by reading this feature. 

Norwegian back Sander Sagosen is the top scorer at Egypt 2021 after three games, averaging ten goals per game, after his superb display against Austria, where he scored nine times. Sagosen is followed by Icelandic left wing Bjarki Mar Elisson with 22 goals, while Chilean veteran Erwin Feuchtmann ranks third with 21 goals. You can take a look at the statistics for this tournament here. 

They say goalkeepers are crazy and the idea is confirmed by Morocco’s Yassine Idrissi, the goalkeeper who saved the largest amount of shots, 26, in the first two rounds at Egypt 2021. His saves have been watched more than 600,000 times in the last week on our official Facebook page. 

Argentina’s line player Gonzalo Carou has seen it all at the IHF Men’s World Championship, as Egypt 2021 is the 11th time he takes part in the competition. Learn more about him in this superb video feature on our Facebook page. 

Do not forget to set your alarm and watch your favourite teams on TV and follow all the updates of the IHF regarding the IHF men’s flagship event.