1) Norway, (+6 in goal difference), 2 points.

European Championships so far: The only favorite team in this half that has really impressed. There have been three wins in three matches at home in Trondheim, including against the Giant France and in the group final against Portugal (34-28). This brings with it two points and a cannon position to take one of the semi-final places.

The star: Mittnian Sander Sagosen is a real teacher, by some considered the world's best handball player. The game distributor from Paris SG is behind most of Norway's offensive game and has scored 27 goals in the European Championships on his own.

Matches in the main round: Hungary (Friday), Sweden (Sunday), Iceland (Tuesday), Slovenia (Wednesday).

2) Hungary, (+6), 2 points.

European Championships so far: Got to struggle hard to twist an end goal victory against Russia in the first match. Then the Hungarians managed to score a point against Denmark and when it was then victory against Iceland (24-18) the team unexpectedly ended the group as one.

The star: Zsolt Balogh broke in the World Cup a year ago and without him the team was not enough in the main round. In the European Championships he has been the team's best goal scorer in two of three matches.

Matches in the main round: Norway (Friday), Slovenia (Sunday), Sweden (Tuesday), Portugal (Wednesday).

3) Slovenia, (+2), 2 points.

European Championships so far: Swedish Ljubomir Vranjes did not need long as the national team to get really good shape in Slovenia's national team. The team is unbeaten and not least impressed in the scare victory against Sweden (21-19).

The star: Jure Dolenec plays in Barcelona everyday and has delivered in the European national team jersey in the European Championship. The 31-year-old right-back is both the team's best scorer and the leading forward so far in the tournament.

Matches in the main round: Iceland (Friday), Hungary (Sunday), Portugal (Tuesday), Norway (Wednesday).

4) Sweden, (–2), 0 points.

European Championships so far: That Sweden comes to Malmö with zero points is a miscalculation. Above all, it is the offensive game that, in the absence of injured Albin Lagergren, has not worked. This was particularly noticeable in the poor loss to Slovenia.

Star: Standing between the posts. Coordinated goalkeeping duo Andreas Palicka and Mikael Appelgren, who start every other match, have ensured that Sweden has the highest rescue percentage in the entire European Championship. Palicka is the one who has impressed most of the two.

Matches in the main round: Portugal (Friday), Norway (Sunday), Hungary (Tuesday), Iceland (Wednesday).

5) Portugal, (–6), 0 points.

European Championships so far: Sure there has been a little warning for Portugal ahead of the European Championships, but that the team would defeat France - which has already had to go home - was nevertheless a peal of enormous proportions. Half the team plays in Porto, which has a strong Champions League fall behind them.

The star: Cuba-born goalkeeper Alfredo Quintana is the given first choice and played a big part in the win against France. However, do not be as successful against Norway, but will gain confidence again in Sweden in the next match.

Matches in the main round: Sweden (Friday), Iceland (Sunday), Slovenia (Tuesday), Hungary (Wednesday).

6) Iceland, (–6), 0 points.

European Championships so far: Shocked the world champions from Denmark in the premiere - but still goes without points after the final loss to Hungary. Iceland has started well and collapsed before. As in the European Championship two years ago, when the only victory came against Sweden in the first match.

The star: Leftist Aron Palmarsson is a key player in the Icelandic offensive game, both as a shooter and forward. The Barcelona lyricist was in the European Championships as a 19-year-old when Iceland took bronze in 2010.

Matches in the main round: Slovenia (Friday), Portugal (Sunday), Norway (Tuesday), Sweden (Wednesday).