With now 4:4 points Hungary are on their way to the qualifications tournament after beating Germany. They are equal in points to Iceland now, as the Germans remain with 2:6 points.

Main Round, group I:

Hungary – Germany 27:25 (10:12)

Hungary can dream of the Olympics qualifications after this surprising victory against direct opponent Germany: The Germans need a victory against Norway now to remain hoping for the crucial match for 7/8 place in Sweden. Hungary had the better start and led 3:0 and 4:1 after their defeat against France and the German victory over Iceland at the openers of the Main Round. After only seven minutes the German coach Heiner Brand took his time-out - and he found the right words to his players, as they equalized and took the lead at the 7:4. But the Hungarians fought hard for every ball, but missed the chance to take the lead again after the 8:8, as the Germans went to the dressing rooms with a 12:10 lead. But in the starting period of the second half the number of mistakes and lost balls increased at the Germans, so that the Hungarians could not only equalize at the score of 14:14, but extended the lead to 19:17 in minute 45. As the Germans fought hard for their second victory in the Main Round the game was full of tension still. As Holger Glandorf scored the 21:21 the Germans hopes rose again, but in the end the Hungarians were experienced enough to take those two important points.

Photos by Axel Heimken