Yesterday’s draw between Germany and Sweden gives Slovenia the chance to clinch one of the two tickets to Tokyo today. The Balkan side took a comfortable win against Algeria and have their fate in their own hands. A victory against Germany will send them to the Olympic Games. 

The hosts will be more than eager to take their first win in their Tokyo Handball Qualification 2020 campaign against Slovenia to keep the race for the Olympic spots still open. Sweden will try to add two points to their collection when they face Algeria in the second match of the day. 

Germany vs Slovenia 15:35 CET

A 25:25 result in their first game yesterday is one Germany is more than familiar with. At the EHF EURO 2018 in Croatia, the hosts and Slovenia met for the last time – and that match ended with the same score 25:25. 

At the Olympic Games in Rio 2016, Germany beat Slovenia on their road to the bronze medal.

“It will be the same game as against Sweden. Slovenia has a great team with great players who are playing for big clubs in Europe. We have to give our best to beat them,” said right wing Timo Kastening.

“In a weekend like that goalkeepers are really important and we hope that we will have the better goalkeeper and defence to defeat them, but they can also beat us, so it will be very interesting.”

The hosts faced a tough challenge against Sweden in their opening match on Friday afternoon. After a good first half, they were overpowered by the 2021 IHF World Championship runners-up in the beginning of the second half. Germany were able to bounce back with crucial saves from Johannes Bitter in the last minutes and the last goal from Marcel Schiller. 

While Germany had to throw everything they had into that match, Slovenia were in full control against Algeria. Head coach Ljubomir Vranjes and his team sit in the most comfortable position in the group for now.

“I think the draw is good for us. If we win one of the two games, we made it. If we win today, that’s good and if we win tomorrow, that’s also good,” said the Slovenia coach.

With a victory today, they are qualified for the Olympic Games for the fourth time. 

Sweden vs Algeria 18:00 CET

Prior to Sweden’s opener against Germany, 2021 IHF World Championship All-star left wing Hampus Wanne left the team due to personal reasons and was replaced by Emil Mellegård. Sweden did not have the best start into the tournament as their fast attack was interrupted several times by the German defence in the first half. After the break Sweden changed gear and especially goalkeeper Andreas Palicka and top scorer Albin Lagergren put their stamp on the game. 

However, the Nordic side could not overcome Germany. When they face Algeria this evening, they hold the upper hand against them, having won 13 out of their 14 encounters. 

The two sides haven’t met for a long time as their last meeting was at the 2015 IHF World Championship in Qatar, where the Swedes took a 27:19 victory. 

“It was very difficult for us when we came here because seven players from the team can’t be here. Slovenia play very good handball, but my team played to the maximum today. Of course, I’m not happy but the result is okay,” commented Algeria coach Alain Portes on the performance of his team after losing to Slovenia. 

Although Slovenia led from beginning to the end, the Algerians were able to reduce the deficit to one goal in the first half and put on a fight in the second half with captain Messaoud Berkous in brilliant shape, scoring nine from 11 attempts on an 82% scoring rate. 

Together with left back Abdi Ayoub, who scored all of his five goals in the second half, they scored half of the Algerian goals in the opening match against Slovenia and will be the players to watch for Sweden, when they want to have their say in the race for an Olympic spot.

“I tried to do the maths after the match, but that’s useless. We have to see how the other match is going and we have to win against Algeria,” said Sweden coach Glenn Solberg after the game against Germany.

Photo: Marco Wolf/DHB