Croatia have won the duel of the upcoming German opponents against Spain - and without losing points in Group I of the main round at the World Handball Championship. The European Championships in Munich in the last group match 23:19 (13:10) dominated the European Championship fifth in Kiel with star player Domagoj Duvnjak.

With 4-0 points Croatia has an optimal starting position in the fight for the semi-finals. The Spaniards go with 2: 2 points in the main round, France and the German team with 3: 1 points. You can read more about the mode here.

Iceland also made the leap into the main round and is there on Saturday (20.30 clock) in Cologne first German opponents. The team of the former coach of the Rhein-Neckar Löwen, Gudmundur Gudmundsson, secured with a 24:22 (11:13) against Macedonia in third behind Croatia and Spain the entry into the main round. Iceland go to the next round with 0: 4 points, for the team it will only go to a good placement.

DPA

Nikola Karabatic

France won the tournament debut of superstar Nikola Karabatic by a 23:22 (12:12) in Berlin against Russia the insignificant first place at the end of the preliminary round in the German group. After surviving foot injury Karabatic scored in three throws but no hit.

Before the start of the main round, Group I in the overview
1. Croatia, 4: 0 points, goals: +8
2. Germany, 3: 1 points, goals: +13
3. France, 3: 1 points, goals: +2
4th Spain, 2: 2 points, goals: +3
5. Iceland, 0: 4 points, goals: -11
6. Brazil, 0: 4 points, goals: -15

Denmark prevailed against runner-up Norway in Herning with 30:26 (17:14). Outstanding player of the host was top star Mikkel Hansen with 14 goals. In addition to Denmark, Sweden is also in 33:30 (16:15) against Hungary with the best starting position in Group II of the main round. Norway has 2: 2 points.

Before the start of the main round, Group II in the overview
1. Denmark, 4: 0 points, goals: +18
2. Sweden, 4: 0 points, goals: +6
3. Norway, 2: 2 points, goals: +6
4. Hungary, 1: 3 points, goals: -3
5th Egypt, 1: 3 points, goals: -3
6. Tunisia, 0: 4 points, goals: -24

The fifth defeat in the fifth game had to accept former coach Dagur Sigurdsson with Japan at 22:23 (9:10) against Bahrain. Sigurdsson had led the selection of the German Handball Federation 2016 sensationally to the European title and bronze medal. The Icelanders will prepare the Japanese selection for the 2020 Summer Olympics - at the World Cup it is already over.