Malmö (Sweden) (AFP)
Denmark, the reigning Olympic and world champion, was eliminated from the handball Euro after Hungary's victory over Iceland, 24-18, Wednesday in Malmö.
After their two poor performances, a setback against Iceland and a draw against the Hungarians, the Danes needed a Magyar defeat to hope. Their meeting against Russia, won 31 to 28 in the evening, no longer had a stake.
With the elimination of France, two of the three World-2019 medalists will be absent from the main round. Only Norway (2nd) continues its route.
Although considered the best team in the world, Denmark was not necessarily expected on the first step of the podium of this Euro, because at six months from the Tokyo Games, the favorite for Olympic gold naturally has the look already turned toward the ultimate goal.
But the Danes were certainly not ready to suffer the insult of an elimination of entry practically at home, since they played their matches in front of their public come in neighbor in Malmö, a Swedish city connected to Copenhagen by a bridge .
The supporters in red were also there to push Iceland, but the determination of the Hungarians and the performances of their goalkeeper Roland Mikler (14 saves) and their pivot Bence Banhidi (8 goals) made the difference.
Even already qualified, the Icelanders had an interest in winning to advance to the main round with two points of their victory over Denmark. It is finally the Hungarians who will start the second phase, still in Malmö, with the full one.
Their opponents will be Norway (2 points), Slovenia (2 points), Portugal (0 points) and Sweden (0 points). In the other group, in Vienna, Austria (2 points), Spain (2 points), Croatia (2 points), the Czech Republic (0 points), Germany (0 points) will face off and Belarus (0 points). The top two from each group will play the semi-finals in Stockholm.
© 2020 AFP