Malmö (Sweden) (AFP)
The Norwegian handball players, worn by their captain Sander Sagosen, qualified for the semi-finals of Euro-2020 by winning against Iceland Tuesday evening 31 to 28 in Malmö (Sweden), while Slovenia took a small option for the last square.
Vice-champion of the world in 2017 and 2019, Norway is still unbeaten in the tournament, but made a little fear in the face of Icelanders who had nothing to play.
After a thunderous start (7-0 then 11-3), the Scandinavians wasted their seven goals in advance at the break (19-12) by seeing the Icelanders gradually return, thanks to the excellent entry into play of goalkeeper Viktor Gisli Hallgrimsson.
The seven parades of the young doorman, elected man of the match, were not enough to regain control of the game, the Norwegians now the Icelanders to three goals, thanks to Sagosen. The Paris SG player ended the game with eight goals, thereby strengthening his place at the top of the tournament scorers (51).
Thanks to the first Swedish victory in the main round against Hungary in the evening (24-18) in Malmö, the Norwegians are sure to finish in the first two of their group and join Spain and Croatia in the last four.
Slovenia, falling from Portugal in the early afternoon of 29-24, can be content with a draw against Norway on Wednesday (6.15pm) to win the last available ticket. Only a victory for Hungary on Wednesday against Portugal (4:00 p.m.) can still prevent Slovenia from reaching the semi-finals.
Wednesday evening, the match between Spain and Croatia (20:30), both also undefeated for now, will determine the first and second place of the other group in this main round.
© 2020 AFP