Montenegro defeated Slovenia 33-32 in Group A of the Hungarian-Slovak European Men’s Handball Championship and reached the semi-finals in Budapest. Slovakia, which was smoothly defeated by the Russian national team, said goodbye to the tournament (36-27). Croatia won against Ukraine (38-25) and Spain against Bosnia and Herzegovina (28-24). In the evening’s matches, France defeated Serbia 29-25 to advance to the semi-finals. The Swedes secured their place with a 27-27 draw against the Czechs. Denmark defeated northern Macedonia in a no-bet meeting (31-21), while Norway triumphed against Lithuania (35-29).
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| Kentin Mahé took part in the success of the French with 6 goals (Photo: AFP) |
THE GROUP
Slovenia-Montenegro
The Slovenian national team definitely had to win to advance. The first half brought a balanced game, but after 11-11, the Slovenian Guard scored four times in a row, giving them a three-goal advantage (19-16). After the turn, the match became tight again, Montenegro attacked for the equalizer in the 40th minute but did not hit (23-22), and Slovenia’s advantage was again doubled with seven-meter Jure Dolenec. In the 47th minute, the Slovenian goalkeeper Urh Kastelic scored his second goal (28-25). In the 50th minute, he lost the advantage, equalizing Montenegro (28-28), which made him move on. Montenegro’s Milos Vujovic, who led 32-31 in the 55th minute, hit the empty goal. Seven meters from Gasper Marguc were missed in the last minute, leaving the single-goal advantage to Montenegro. he finally won 33-32 and will be there in the semi-finals in Budapest.
Denmark-Northern Macedonia 31-21
Northern Macedonia cut against Denmark (4-0). Under the direction of Niclas Kirkelökke, the Danes soon translated (6–5). Denmark finally won (31–21) their third group match in Debrecen, making it two points to the semi-finals in Budapest.
The last seconds in the Montenegro-Slovenia match
GROUP C
Croatia-Ukraine
The Croats beat the Ukrainians with a chance (38-25), and as the French defeated the Serbs in the evening, Croatia advanced to second place.
France-Serbia
Serbia held up against France for 3–3, but in the 15th minute, the defending Olympic champion was already 9–4. The Serbs had no chance to continue against the irresistible French (15–5, 26 minutes). The second half was just a formality. France scored 29–25 and start the semi-finals in Budapest with two points.
E-GROUP
Spain-Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Spanish national team was waiting for the match as the group leader, so he didn’t take the last lap too seriously. Bosnia-Herzegovina led to 20-18 in the second half but ran out, Spain reversed and won 28-24.
Sweden-Czech Republic 27-27
The Swedish-Czech match was sharp, according to the stakes, and in the second half after 15-15, the Scandinavian Guard scored twice in a row. The Czech Republic caught up with their rivals at 22-22, followed by Sweden again in the 50th minute with a goal by Niclas Ekberg (23-22). For the last four minutes, the teams were tied (25-25). The Swedes attacked at 27-27 in the last minute but lost the ball. However, the Czechs did not start accurately, so they could not shoot at the gate (27–27). The Swedes advanced with this, starting the semi-finals without a point.
GROUP F
Russian team-Slovakia
The Russian national team closed the group round with a flawless balance, which left no chance for their opponent. The co-host, Slovakia, should have scored six goals so as not to have to deal with the outcome of the Norwegian-Lithuanian match in the evening. The Russians already led by 10 goals in the halftime, eventually winning by nine goals (36-27).
Norway-Lithuania
Lithuania did well against Norway, although it would have had to score 8 goals to advance, with 16-16 in the break. In the second half, the difference between the two teams has already come out, with Norway winning (35-29) but taking zero points to the semi-finals due to its defeat against Russia.
HANDBALL
EUROPEAN MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP, GROUP
ROUND 3
GROUP A (Debrecen, Phoenix Arena)
Slovenia-Montenegro 32-33 (19–16)
Ld: Dolenec 6, Kodrin 6, Blagotinsek 4, Gas. Marguc 4, ill. B. Vujovics 9, Grbovics 8
Denmark-Northern Macedonia 31-21 (15–11)
Ld: Kirkelökke 9, Lindberg 4, ill. Pesevszki 6, Taleszki 3, Misevszki 3-
| 1. Denmark | 3 | 3 | – | – | 95–65 | +30 | 6 |
| 2. Montenegro | 3 | 2 | – | 1 | 82–86 | –4 | 4 |
| 3. Slovenia | 3 | 1 | – | 2 | 82–92 | –10 | 2 |
| 4. Northern Macedonia | 3 | – | – | 3 | 70–86 | –16 | 0 |
GROUP C (Szeged, Pick Arena)
Croatia-Ukraine 38-25 (18–13)
Ld: Martinovic 7, Sipic 7, Jelinic 6, ill. Artemenko 5, Horiha 4
France-Serbia 29-25 (16–7)
Ld: Mahé 6, Mem 5, resp. Radivojevics 7, Kukics 4, Marszenics 4
| 1. France | 3 | 3 | – | – | 92– 70 | +22 | 6 |
| 2. Croatia | 3 | 2 | – | 1 | 83– 72 | +11 | 4 |
| 3. Serbia | 3 | 1 | – | 2 | 76– 75 | +1 | 2 |
| 4. Ukraine | 3 | – | – | 3 | 71–105 | –34 | 0 |
GROUP E (Bratislava, Ondrej Nepela Arena)
Spain-Bosnia and Herzegovina 28-24 (12–14)
Ld: Married 7, Marquez 4, ill. IV. Karacic 6, J. Peric 4, Herceg 4
Sweden-Czech Republic 27-27 (12–11)
Ld: Wanne 5, Sandell 5, Claar 4, ill. Piroch 5, Babák 5, Hrstka 4, Reichl 4
| 1. Spain | 3 | 3 | – | – | 88–78 | +10 | 6 |
| 2. Sweden | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 85–77 | +8 | 3 |
| 3. Czech Republic | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 80–74 | +6 | 3 |
| 4. Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3 | – | – | 3 | 61–85 | –24 | 0 |
GROUP F (Kassa, Steel Arena)
Russian Team Slovakia 36-27 (19–9)
Ld: Koszorotov 7, Kamenyev 5, Andrejev 5, resp. Prokop 8, T. Urbán 7
Norway-Lithuania 35-29 (16–16)
Ld: Sagosen 7, Barthold 7, Reinkind 6, ill. Malasinskas 8, Babarskas 5
| 1. Russia | 3 | 3 | – | – | 88–76 | +12 | 6 |
| 2. Norway | 3 | 2 | – | 1 | 92–77 | +15 | 4 |
| 3. Slovakia | 3 | 1 | – | 2 | 83–97 | –14 | 2 |
| 4. Lithuania | 3 | – | – | 3 | 82–95 | –13 | 0 |
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