Hanover and Magdeburg will witness the top-of-the-group battle as Germany, Croatia, Portugal and the Faroe Islands secured quarter-final berths. The Greek groups will bring excitement and top-notch clashes as all are open in Groups III and IV, with Hungary and Iceland having the biggest chances of progressing further.

Group I

• 18:15 CEST France vs Tunisia

Both teams came into the Main Round with zero points and both failed to win against the powerhouses of the group. In a fight for the glory and for the points important for the placement matches, France and Tunisia will line up on Monday in Hanover.

France lost their chance of progressing further to the quarter-finals after a narrow 29:30 defeat against Germany. The French side had the same problem as in the group phase with turnovers and misses in the decisive moments of the game but they miraculously returned to the game after trialling by seven. Kalim Zahaf, who stood between the posts in the second half, had seven saves at 54% saving efficiency, giving new hope to France.

Tunisia are well aware their opponents are the favourites in this clash. Being only one of four non-European teams in the Main Round is already a success, and Tunisians can be proud of the achievement so far. The Ben Salem brothers remain their main force on the court.

• 20:30 CEST Croatia vs Germany

Croatia and Germany lived up to expectations on the first day of the Main Round and secured two new points, leading them to the quarter-finals. The co-hosts will have great support from the stands against the Croats in the fight for first place in the group. The Germans are the best attack in the competition and will compete against a team conceding 25 goals per game on average.

Croatia had an easy day against Tunisia and well-rested are waiting for the clash against co-hosts Germany. Tunisia could not keep up with more experienced Croats and head coach Andrija Nikolić got another chance at the competition by trying out different options. All 14 field players took a shot while goalkeepers Dominik Kuzmanović and Matej Mandić were both at 38% saving efficiency.

Germany were almost left empty-handed against France. They seemed confident after hitting a seven-goal lead ten minutes before the final whistle. David Späth's saves were crucial in creating the gap while the goals kept coming from all positions. However, France made a comeback equalising to 29:29, one minute before the buzzer. But Späth saved the day with a good reaction.

Group II

• 15:45 CEST Portugal vs Faroe Islands

Both sides extended their winning streak at Germany/Greece 2023 to four, securing a place in the quarter-finals. The only thing left is to fight for a first spot in Group II, which would determine the opponent.

Portugal earned a 33:31 win against Spain after a great comeback in the second half. Portugal were in front when they started to make mistakes. Turnovers and missed chances disturbed their rows as Spain took over. When needed the most, goalkeeper Tiago Ferreira locked his doors and Pedro Oliveira led them to the important win.

On the other side, the Faroe Islands had equally fighting opponents. Even though the result might say different (33:27), Brazil kept getting close and made the Faroe Islands make a run for it. Of course, once again, Elias Ellefsen Á Skipagotu, the competition's top scorer, and Hákun West Av Teigum were in the spotlight. The duo scored 23 out of 33 goals.

"We want to maintain the excellent level that we have presented until now, which brings a lot of pride. The Faroe Islands are an excellent team based on a player of great level, Elias Ellefsen à Skipagøtu. It is also a team that plays a lot in 7-v-6, which will make our task more difficult and will certainly be another excellent game," said Portugal's head coach Carlos Martingo.

• 18:00 Brazil vs Spain

Who will go to the battle from 9th to 12th place and who will join the rest from 13th to 16th place? Brazil and Spain will give us the answer. The Spaniards, M20 EHF EURO 2022 champions, are disappointed after their last two performances. Against the Faroe Islands, they were not so close but against Portugal, they had everything in their hands. 

Rodrigo Reñones' team made a comeback with a 5-0 series with some classic Jan Gurri Aregay moves. However, if Spain wants to beat Brazil and redeem themselves, the key will be reducing technical errors to a minimum. In the crucial game against Portugal, the Spaniards had 21 turnovers. Many came in the decisive parts of the game.

After finishing 12th in the 2019 edition, Brazil will try to repeat at least the same success. Their main force, especially against the Faroe Islands, was Hugo Bryan Monta Da Silva in both ways. Not only was he their top scorer but he was also strong in defence. Brazil can also look up to the goalkeeper William Da Silva Santos, who has been on the same level throughout the competition, having around 30% save efficiency.

Group III

• 16:30 CEST (17:30 EEST) Hungary vs Sweden

Hungary joined the still-unbeaten club at the IHF Men's Junior World Championship. The Hungarians stepped up a gear in the second half, making the decisive goal series for a 27:21 win against Bahrain.

Bahrain performed best at this competition, just a goal short in the first 30 minutes. They took advantage of Hungarian failed fastbreaks. The man of the moment for Hungary was right wing Bence Imre, who was unstoppable, completely making the defence mad. If Hungary want to confirm their spot in the quarter-finals, they need to have a more aggressive defence with goalkeepers on the desired level, as that was missing in the game against Bahrain.

"Tomorrow's game will be difficult. Sweden is physically stronger than us, but in every game, we prepare for each team separately so that we can win, which is our goal," said Hungarian head coach Sótonyi László for handball.org.gr.

Sweden made Group III interesting and not done on the first day of the Main Round. They needed to win against Denmark and they would secure the quarter-finals. However, Denmark stood in the way. In the game full of twists, the Danes made a turnaround ten minutes before the final buzzer and shattered Sweden's dreams. Now, they must win over the group leader, Hungary, and wait for the game between Denmark and Bahrain.

Despite Felix Möller's seven-goal outing and Kasper Palmar's five goals, Sweden lacked concentration in the decisive moments of the game. And that moment could be crucial against Hungary if they want to make a run for the spot in the top eight teams. 

• 18:45 CEST (19:45 EEST) Denmark vs Bahrain

Denmark brought excitement to Group III after beating Sweden 29:26. With at-the-right-moment saves by Mikkel Moller Lovkvist and Hjalte Lykke's amazing line goals, Denmark stayed in the fight for the quarter-finals after entering the Main Round without points.

There is no other calculation than not to lose against Bahrain. And the European side are clear favourites against the Asian team. Even though, on paper, Bahrain have better attack and defence, Spain had an advantage with fast wings and good play with line players.

"In the game against Bahrain, we will do everything to get the points and keep our dreams alive," said Atlason Arnór for handball.org.gr, Denmark's head coach.

The only problem Denmark could have is Bahrain's aggressive defence that made Slovenia and Hungary sweat. Bahrain, two-times ranked 17th, will have their best placement in history, which can be an additional boost to the team against Denmark. Compared to their opponents, they have nothing to lose, and that can be their advantage.

 

 

Group IV

• 16:30 CEST (17:30 EEST) Iceland vs Egypt

Iceland are one of six still unbeaten teams at Germany/Greece 2023 and they are determined to stay that way. One of the best defences in the competition will face the second-best attack. The outcome will give new quarter-final participants.

Iceland are on a good way to being among the top eight teams after a fourth straight win. However, Iceland had to fight tough against co-hosts Greece in a 29:28 win. Recognisable Icelandic force and fast-paced handball needed help finding an easy way through Greek defence. After trailing by four, it seemed all is lost for Iceland but they consolidated and made an excellent run in the last 15 minutes of the game.

Egypt came to the Main Round with two points and their first opponents were Serbia. It was a do-or-die game for the Serbs, and they delivered, leaving Egypt disappointed. Right back Mohab Abdelhak and left wing Rady Ahmed were the main engines of the team, netting 17 times but they could not do it alone.

Missed shots and one-on-one misses were Egypt's main issues and they need to overcome their problems and find a way to stop Iceland's fast pace. They will fight it with their own fast handball but need to have a stronghold in defence which was missing in the game against the Serbs. The Pharaohs want to continue on the same path as the previous generation and they will give all the effort to get to the quarter-final.

"We didn't play well, and Serbia won fairly. We want to win against Iceland. I believe in my team and that we can qualify," said Egyptian head coach Aber Belal.

• 18:45 CEST (19:45 EEST) Serbia vs Greece

Serbia returned back to life and kept their quarter-final chances alive after defeating Egypt 33:26. Strong defence with amazing Luka Krivokapić between the posts was the key to the win and Serbia hope they will continue down the same road against Greece. Their goalkeeper duo are the second-best in the competition by saving efficiency – 41% and 63 saves in four games.

They are entering the clash with the co-hosts who lost all chances of progressing further. It can be an advantage but also a danger if you underestimate the home team and their strong will in front of their fans.

"We know what we are fighting for and what we have to do to win. We are going to finish the work we started against Egypt, the quarter-finals is the goal, and I believe we will succeed in achieving that," said Serbia's top scorer against Egypt Nikola Zečević to rss.org.rs.

Greece were left in disbelief after a shocking 28:29 defeat against Iceland. 16 saves by Dimitrios Bampatzanidis were not enough to keep the lead and Iceland found a solution for Achilleas Toskas in decisive moments. They will have a hard time resetting.

"We knew a win against Iceland would keep us alive for qualification to the top eight, but after the result, the top eight is now finished. Feelings are very strange, but we can't put our heads down. It's a difficult moment but we have to move on because we have more games to play. We showed that we can compete with great teams with such potential," added Greek player Andreas Geroulanos.