The Men’s Handball competition has provided so far in Paris with lots of twists and turns in the Group Stages. With the competition now moving to Lille and some enticing matchups in the Quarterfinals, there will surely be more to come.
Group Stage Review –
Group A got the Men’s Handball underway on the opening day of Olympic action and it was Spain who were able to overcome Slovenia 25-22. Croatia won late on against Japan when Ivan Martinovic fired in with no time left on the clock to win 30-29. Despite a red card for Germany they managed to beat Sweden by three goals.
Germany then picked up their second win comfortably defeating Japan 37-26. Slovenia bounced back from their opening day defeat to beat Croatia 31-29 thanks to eight goals each from Blaz Janc and Aleks Vlah. The London 2012 finalists, Sweden, survived a late onslaught to overcome Spain.
Matchday three was the announcement of Slovenia at these championships as they got their second win beating Sweden 29-44. Croatia and Spain also got their second wins against Germany and Japan respectively in what was proving to be an extremely tight group.
Magic from Vlah, then guided Slovenia to the knockout stages when he scored 14 goals in a 29-28 win over Japan, which confirmed their exit. Germany pulled off a big result against Spain to put themselves in contention for top spot in the group, after eight goals from Renars Uscins and Sweden bolstered their chances against Croatia with a 38-27 win.
Sweden’s qualification was then secured on the final matchday when the demolished Japan by thirteen goals. Germany guaranteed their spot on the top of group A when they got the upper hand of Slovenia 36-29. Spain left it late to earn their qualification in a do or die match against Croatia. The Croats scored twice in the last minute to tie the game but a last minute goal from Aleix Abello won it 32-21 for Spain.
In Group B, Egypt got off to the perfect start with a 35-32 win over Hungary which included nine goals from Yahia Omar, who was looking set to have another incredible tournament like Tokyo. Norway picked up a win against Argentina before the big one as Denmark and France faced off in a rematch of the 2024 European Championships final, the 2023 World Championship Final and the 2020 Olympic Final. It would be World Champs Denmark who got their revenge from the other two finals, as they earnt a 37-29 victory after 11 goals each from Mathias Gidsel and Simon Pytlick.
Denmark followed that up with a great first half showing against Egypt which was enough for them to hold on in what is Mikkel Hansen’s last tournament. There is also a special retiree in the French side with this being Nikola Karabatic’s final competition. That being said, the poor start continued when Norway was able to stun the French with a 27-22 victory. Hungary dominated Argentina 35-25 in the other match.
When you thought it couldn’t get much worse for France it pretty much did as they needed a last-minute equaliser from Ludovic Fabregas to claw back a point in a 26-26 draw versus Egypt. There was also more drama on matchday three in Group B when Hungary missed their chance to defeat Norway before switching off and letting Alexander Blonz to fire home and give the Norwegians the win. Denmark continued their unbeaten start against Argentina with a 38-27 win, including 13 goals from Gidsel.
The hosts finally got their first win in their fourth match when they bested Argentina 28-21. Gidsel and Denmark continued their great tournament with a win over Hungary and Egypt clung on for a crucial win against Norway to secure them qualification.
Egypt was able to get a comfortable 34-27 win in the opening game of matchday five in Group B. The attention was focused on France and Hungary though, the winner knew they would qualify for the knockout stages. Despite being down in the game, the hosts avoided a shock exit and secured their qualification with a 24-20 win. Denmark confirmed their unbeaten group stage with a 32-25 win over Norway.
Quarter-Final Preview -
Germany vs France – This is a match not many would’ve expected with France having to squeeze through into 4th spot in the group. They won’t care know though as the reigning Olympic champs know they can beat anyone on their day. Germany stands in their way who have topped a not so strong Group A, but they will be looking to advance from the Quarter-Finals, a feat they failed in Tokyo.
Spain vs Egypt – Egypt was everyone’s favourite team in Tokyo and it’s more of the same in France and they will be looking to go one better this time and reach the final. Omar is having another exceptional tournament with 31 goals so far. Spain stands in their way, which makes this a rematch of the Tokyo 2020 bronze medal match with Spain won 33-31.
Norway vs Slovenia – In what is only Norway’s third ever time in the Men’s Handball this competition provides a great opportunity for a Semi Final spot. They will take on a Slovenia side who managed to get three wins in Group A, including a win over Sweden which earnt them 2nd place.
Denmark vs Sweden – Denmark have gone five for five in the groups and will be looking to add to their 2016 Olympic title in France. Gidsel leads the scoring charts in this tournament in what is looking like a brilliant farewell for Hansen. Sweden will be looking to kill Danish hopes but the 2012 finalists have a tough challenge in their way.
The QFs take place on Wednesday, August 7.
