Group B:
Japan –Hungary 24:28(8:13)
Hungary opened the gateway to the Main Round widely with their third victory, as Japan remain with only one victory (against Austria). It took the Hungarians only ten minutes to change a 4:4 to a 12:4 and to get a comfortable cushion for the rest of the match with the half time score of 13:8.  After the break the Europeans left no doubt about the winner, as they increased the lead to 20:9. Feeling that they won the match already, the Hungarians lost their concentration, so Japan was able to reduce the gap, but could not endanger Hungary. Three minutes before the end the gap was only three goals (23:26), but the Japanese catch-up chase was much too late. Top scorer of the match was Gergö Ivancsik with nine goals for Hungary.
 
Norway – Brazil 26:25 (13:12)
As first team of group B Norway has reached the Main Round by beating Brazil closely. The game was equal from the first second on, as the first half was a real swing with changing leads. Norway was
luckier than the Pan Americans – showing their best current performance in Sweden - by winning the first half 13:12. But in six minutes Brazil turned the game to a 17:15 lead. Norway wasn’t shocked – in contrast: It took them nine minutes to score a 8:1 series to the pre decisively score of 23:18. But despite the Norwegian hopes it wasn’t the final decision: When Fabio Chuffa  scored the 23:24 for Brazil the hopes for the first victory in Sweden were high again – but then Chuffa  missed the equalizer from best position 75 seconds before the end and Erlend Mamelund scored the 26:24 for Norway. The last Brazilian goal for the 26:25 was too late – Norway took two important points that took them to the Main Round. Top scorer and man of the match was Norwegian pivot Bjarate Myrhol, who scored seven times.

 
Group D:
Chile – Slovakia 29:29 (15:12)
Due to this draw both teams do not only remain without a victory but both still don’t have a chance for reaching the Main Round anymore with now one point. After the 5:5 Chile was the better team and extended the gap to three goals at the break. But as the Slovaks didn’t want to finish the Preliminary Round without a point , they improved after the break and decreased the gap to mostly one or two goals – but couldn’t turn the game to an early draw or lead.  70 seconds before the end Chile still was in lead 29:27, before Michal Kopko and then Peter Kukucka (one second before the end) scored for the lucky Slovak equalizer. At bitter end especially for Emil Feuchtmann, who score incredible eleven goals (in 13 attempts) for Chile. Frantisek Sulc scored seven times for Slovakia.
 
Korea –Poland 20:25 (11:10)
As first of all 24 participating teams Poland gained their fourth victory in their fourth match – and qualified for the Main Round after Croatia, France and Norway. The game against Korea (still three points) was equal until minute 40 and the score of 14:14. Then the Polish express started their strength and decided the game in between eleven minutes with a series of 10:2 to 24:16. The bigger international experience and the huger alternatives were the great advantage for the Bronze medalist of the WCh 2009. By saving 13 shots former World Handball Player of the Year, Polish goalkeeper Slawomir Szmal was a key factor for this success. Top scorers were  Yo (Korea) and Jurecki (Poland) with each five goals. Korea need to win their last match against Slovakia to have hopes for the Main Round.

All photos by Sascha Klahn