The Netherlands ran over the last South Korea (40-33) in Group 1 of the Handball World Cup and, with their six recorded points, put pressure on Norway ahead of today's group final, which is the last match in the middle round.
If the triple World Cup gold medalist Norway (six points) loses to Germany (five), the Netherlands takes second place by virtue of mutual meetings with the Norwegians and the Germans win the group.
If Norway wins or draws against Germany, it will be the Norwegian team victory. Then the semi-finals await the second in Group 2 - either Sweden or Spain. The Swedes have to win against Montenegro to advance to the World Cup semi-finals.
Even Serbia, which meets Denmark, can come up with six points, but if the team makes Norway and the Netherlands company on that score, the Dutch win the battle for a semi-final place, writes the Norwegian news agency NTB. The Netherlands have won against both teams earlier in the World Cup.
If Germany crosses Norway, the Germans are ready for the semi-finals thanks to a mutual meeting with the Netherlands.
Sweden cannot be better than second in their group and thus may face either Norway or Germany in a possible semi-final, as the Netherlands will be second best.