When European powerhouses clash for Olympic Games berths, everything is on the table, and sparks are flowing. It also happened on Friday evening, when the three women’s tournaments for the Tokyo Handball Qualification 2020 threw off.

In Tournament 1, Sweden and Spain shared the spoils after a dramatic 28:28 draw, before Sweden could seal their ticket to Tokyo 2020 with a win against Argentina on Saturday.

Tournament 2 in Gyor, the only one with four teams lining up, saw an overwhelming Hungarian win against Kazakhstan (46:19), while reigning Olympic champions, Russia, secured a solid 29:24 victory against Serbia. If the two sides win again on Saturday, they will be through to Tokyo 2020.

The biggest surprise by far was provided by Montenegro, who handed reigning European champions Norway a huge upset, taking a commanding 28:23 win, after leading from start to finish. If they do not win on Saturday against Romania, Norway would be out and the hosts and Romania would book the ticket.

Montenegro were superb in their maiden game in Podgorica and only need a draw against Romania to be back at the Olympic Games. With many absentees and a change of generation, are they the real deal? 

Spain will rest on Saturday, but this is their big year. They are hosting Tournament 1 of the Tokyo Handball Qualification 2020 in Llíria and they surely were worth of their nickname on Friday, when they earned a last-gasp draw against Sweden. 

Four players have scored seven goals each and are leading the top goal scorer standings, while the best goalkeeper in the Tokyo Handball Qualification 2020 saved 12 shots for a 55% efficiency. Do you know who they are? Find out by clicking here or on the ‘Statistics’ tab of our mini-site. 

Hungry for more? You can visit our Facebook page to re-watch your favourite goals and find out first what’s what in the Tokyo Handball Qualification 2020. 

You will learn more about how you can watch the Women’s Tokyo Handball Qualification 2020 here, with matches which do not have specific rights-holder territory agreements being streamed live via the official IHF - Competitions YouTube channel. 

Photo: Luka Novovic / RSCG