Cairo (AFP)
Hungary, Spain and Denmark were the first to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Handball World Cup in Cairo, unlike Croatia, which fell from high against Argentina (23-19) on Saturday and whose historic coach Lino Cervar has resigned.
The final draw is shaping up in Egypt, and Croatia is unlikely to be.
Surprised by Argentina after a disastrous start to the match - first goal after 10 minutes!
-, the Croats, already upset by Japan (29-29) in the first round, are now ahead of the South Americans in the standings.
The latter will have to win or draw against Qatar, still in the race after its success against Bahrain (28-23), to ensure a historic qualification for the quarter-finals.
Their best result in a World Cup is 12th place, achieved in 2011 and 2015.
Qatar can win the bet if successful, unless Croatia also wins against a Denmark already qualified after beating Japan (34-27).
Except that after his poor offensive performance (39% success on shots), Croatian coach Lino Cervar tendered his resignation.
If the departure of this historic technician, aged 70 and who led the Croats to the 2003 World Cup double - 2004 Olympics, should not be effective until after the World Cup, this does not augur a reaction to the defending champion. .
"It will be hard," grimaced Captain Domagoj Duvnjak, questioned by AFP on the spot.
In Group I, everything is settled after the success of Hungary against Poland (30-26) and Spain against Uruguay (38-23).
The two winners, qualified for the quarterfinals, will compete on Monday for first place with the only stake of remaining undefeated and of knowing which of France, Portugal or Norway they will face.
First to be eliminated by mark, Germany beat Brazil for the honor (31-24).
She could not overcome the absence of her European champions with Kiel Hendrik Pekeler, Steffen Weinhold and Patrick Wiencek, who did not wish to make the trip to Egypt because of the pandemic.
© 2021 AFP