News

Group B: Everything up for grabs in the most balanced group at Egypt 2021

19 Jan. 2021

Group B: Everything up for grabs in the most balanced group at Egypt 2021

Even though everything is still possible, Spain made a huge step towards the main round at Egypt 2021 with their win against Poland, as even a one-goal loss against Tunisia would put them through to the next phase of the competition.

The real battle for a main round spot will be between Brazil and Poland, with the winner assured safe passage to the next phase of the 27th IHF Men’s World Championship.

Goal difference could be an issue, as a scenario that features a four-team tie on three points is also possible, provided Tunisia beat Spain and Brazil draw against Poland.

Spain vs Tunisia 19:00 CAT

Spain boast an unblemished record against Tunisia at the IHF Men’s World Championship, with seven wins out of seven games, at an average of 6.8 goals per game, including a 26:21 win four years ago at France 2017.

The two sides have also met in a friendly game on 27 December, with Tunisia clinging to a 30:30 draw, as Spanish coach Jordi Ribera tested different plays for his team.

With only one point after two games, Tunisia’s only hope to proceed to the main round at Egypt 2021 is a win against the reigning European champions.

But Spain are far from the perfect, fine-tuned powerhouse that won the Men’s EHF EURO one year ago.

The most experienced side in the competition, ‘Los Hispanos’ have shown complacency and lost focus in crucial moments against Brazil and Poland, with both sides erasing five-goal deficits in the second half.

With only 56 goals scored in their first two games, Spain have scored less than any other group leader after two games apart from Germany, who had a 10:0 win against Cape Verde, after the game was cancelled.

While the Spanish side have prided themselves on creating chances for every player to score, 39-year-old Raul Entrrerios is their best scorer at Egypt 2021, with only eight goals, as Ribera’s side is only 22nd in the efficiency rankings out of the 32 teams in the competition, with a scoring efficiency of 57 per cent.

Tunisia have progressed from the preliminary round in 12 of their 15 IHF Men’s World Championship editions they took part in, but now they look like they have a mountain to climb.

They will rely once again on backs Mohamed Darmoul and Mosbah Sanai, who have a combined tally of 27 of Tunisia’s 60 goals at Egypt 2021, or 45 per cent of the African side’s goals in the competition.

Brazil vs Poland 21:30 CAT

This is the moment of truth for the young Polish side, who are dreaming big and flying low. Secure at least a draw and they are through or lose and hope that Tunisia do not beat Spain in the first game.

For the first time ever at the IHF Men’s World Championship, a team that draws every game in the preliminary round could go through, after Brazil won a point against Spain (29:29) and Tunisia (32:32).

The Brazilian side, hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, not being able to field influential defender Thiagus Petrus, aim to progress for the fifth consecutive time from the preliminary round, but have already drawn two games, more than in the previous 82 games played at the men’s flagship event.

Buoyed by wins in the last two mutual games, 28:24 at France 2017 and 34:32 at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil will be keen to add to their tally against the Poland.

However, for the first time in five years, Poland really look like they mean business. Brazil need to pay attention to right wing Arkadiusz Moryto, who was named the hummel Player of the Match in both games at Egypt 2021 and already put 16 goals past the opposing goalkeepers.

As the South American side conceded 61 goals in the first two games – only seven teams conceded more at Egypt 2021 – defence will be key for both Brazil and Poland in this game.

Photo: Egypt 2021