In group D, Germany, decimated by covid-19, finished in the lead at the end thanks to a victory against Poland (30-23), thus gleaning two precious points for the rest of the competition.

In the packed Budapest Arena, the Hungarians said goodbye to their Euro, beaten by a small goal by the Icelanders (31-30), who finished first in group B.

A cruel defeat for the locals who nevertheless celebrated the event one last time with their audience by singing the national anthem.

Iceland, for its part, continues on its way and will come across two big favorites for the final victory on the way to the main round, France of Nikola Karabatic and Denmark of Mikkel Hansen, who also have two points.

The surprising Netherlands (32-31), which won a final victory against Portugal, finished second and will meet the French team on Thursday.

Dutchman Iso Sluijters during the preliminary round match against Latvia at the Euro on January 11, 2020 in Trondheim Ole Martin Wold NTB scanpix/AFP/Archives

It will be without tricolor defender Karl Konan, revelation at the start of the tournament, who tested positive for covid on Tuesday and will have to remain isolated for at least five days.

Frenchman Karl Konan blocks Serbian Lazar Kukic, during their match (group C) of the preliminary round of the Euro, January 17, 2022 in Bratislava Attila KISBENEDEK AFP

The Germans were not spared either, affected by eight cases of covid, including key elements of the Nationalmannschaft (Julius Kühn, Kai Häfner, Timo Kastening, or Andreas Wolff).

A situation that made former 2007 world champion Christian Schwarzer cringe, for whom the tournament “is turning into a farce”.

“It would be frustrating and ultimately bad for our sport if, in the end, the European champions were the team that had the fewest cases of Covid,” he lamented to SPOX media.

The situation did not prevent Germany from winning against Poland and thus securing first place.

Germans and Poles will find in the second group of the main round the Russians who will be in a position of strength, just like Spain.

Sweden and Norway complete the picture.

© 2022 AFP