In men’s football, Friday’s Match of the Day is a classic, in women’s handball, the clash of neighbours is always a thrilling encounter. When hosts Germany face the Netherlands on Friday in Leipzig, this match might decide the top position in Group D: if the unbeaten hosts (currently on 7 points) win, they are definitely number one, in case of a draw or a win of the Netherlands (5 points so far), Serbia or Korea (both on 6 points) could be the lucky ones.

Germany and Netherlands know each other very well and they faced in two friendly matches in October in Berlin and Magdeburg. However, the two German victories were against a kind of B selection, as most of the top stars were not part of the squad. The last time both sides clashed at a major tournament, was at the 2016 EURO, when the Germans in that respective match took the upper hand, but finally finished sixth, while the Netherlands made it to the final, closely beaten by Norway.

From those 15 players, nominated for the Netherlands side so far, only three – Nycke Groot, Yvette Broch and Estavana Polman – have not played for a German club or still play in the German Bundesliga, like goalkeeper Tess Wester and three more for Bietigheim for example.

Netherlands played a quite shaky campaign so far, proven by the defeat against Korea or the lucky draw against Serbia. “The chances for us are 50:50, both sides are on an equal level” says Netherlands team captain Danick Snelder, who had played for Thüringer HC until 2016.

Both teams are qualified for the eighth-finals already, but the final ranking will be crucial for the rest of the tournament. “We are playing to win, but we know that this hurdle will be truly high,” says Germany’s goalkeeper Clara Woltering.

In total, 14 of 16 spots for the eighth-finals are already confirmed in the four groups.

Group A:

One decision is taken, the rest is still open: while Angola and Paraguay only fight for the fifth and sixth position in Friday’s opener in Trier, the two remaining matches are of huge worth, though the four eighth-finalists are already known. Romania are already confirmed winners of the group and can take the match against France quite easily. Like Spain, the France side are on five points, surprisingly both are below Slovenia (six points). If the Slovenians beat Spain in the very last match at Trier, they will finish second, in all other cases Spain or France can finish second in this group. If France and Spain are finally equal in points, the goal difference need to decide, currently the French team are ahead by nine goals.

Group B:

Norway are on top after four dominant wins in four matches, but still can be passed in the final round by their Swedish neighbours – the All-Scandinavian encounter on Friday will decide the final ranking in this group. A draw is already enough for Norway to remain number one, while Sweden need to win to take the first rank. After their opening defeat against Poland, Sweden won the next three games – and have the fate in their hands.

As Poland, who were defeated by the direct opponents Hungary and Czech Republic, cannot proceed even if they win their final encounter against Argentina the remaining spots for the eighth-finals are confirmed. It is Hungary and Czech Republic who will fight for the third position in the direct duel. For Hungary, a draw is enough, as they have the better overall goal difference.

Group C:

In this group, only Russia (8 points) and Denmark (6) have already clinched the berth to the eighth-finals. Both clash in the duel for the top position in the very last encounter in Oldenburg. For Olympic champions Russia a draw is enough, while the record Olympic champions Denmark need a victory to finish on top – and in case of a defeat even can be passed by Montenegro (4 points), as they were defeated by the Balkan side in their opener.

Montenegro can even end all Brazilian hopes in their final preliminary round match. As the Pan American champions are on 3 points only, they are close to elimination. If Japan beat Tunisia (still on 0 points) in the opener of the final day to be then on 5 points, Brazil are under real pressure. But a win against Montenegro would secure them a spot among the best 16 teams, as Montenegro would then have to continue in the President’s Cup. A draw would be enough for the Montenegrins to secure a spot in the eighth-finals.

Group D:

While the encounter of Cameroon and China (both on zero points) only decides, which team will fight for the positions 21-24 or 17-20 in the President’s Cup, the match Serbia vs Korea is extremely crucial. As both know the result of the Germany vs Netherlands encounter, they are aware of what is still possible. Both can even finish on top of this group. Serbia are unbeaten, too, after their draws against Netherlands and Germany, while Korea had beaten the Netherlands side, but lost against Germany. No matter the result in the direct duel, Serbia and Korea have already booked the ticket to the eighth-final.