As the groups B and D have a rest day on Sunday the groups A and C stood on the fields in Malmö, Lund and Kristianstad. And in the first three matches the favourites Germany, Spain and Serbia took mostly clear victories.

Group A:

 Germany – Bahrain 38:18 (20:9)

Germany played their normal business – and again especially the wing players showed a strong performance against Bahrain. By counter attacks the Germans decided the game very early.  As Uwe Gensheimer was the match winner against Egypt, against Bahrain it were Dominik Klein (6) and  Christian Sprenger who became top scorer with six goals. Bahrain fought hard, but the Emiratis didn’t have any chance against the physical stronger Germans.

Tunisia – Spain 18:21 (7:9)

With their second victory Spain remains on their way to the Main Round. Tunisia lost their second match, but was an opponent on eye level until minute 55. The whole match was poor in goals and in speed. On both sides the defense was imprinting, both teams were very slow in attack. It took 8:29 minutes before the first goal was shot and another more two minutes before Spain had equalized.  Unlike to former events Spain didn’t count on their famous counter attacks, but waited for the position attacks. Despite a strong goalkeeper Hombrados the Spaniards couldn’t extend their lead after the 6:3- in contrast: Tunisia equalized again, before Spain took a 9:7 at the break. Supported by a a huge number of Tunisians but also Algerians the Northern African took control of the match, as goalkeeper Majed Hamza improved. Thanks to a higher shot efficiency in a game still imprinted by defenses Tunisia equalized and led 14:12, as Spain woke up after 43 minutes.  Thanks to their bigger individual class and the number of technical faults Tunisia caused the Europeans turned the match again, eight minutes before the end Alberto Entrerrios scored the 17:15, before Tunisia took their time-out. They fought hard, but the Spaniards played with all their routine, still lacked speed but could count on the saves of goalkeeper Hombrados. Latest Iker Romero decided the game with the 20:16 two minutes before the end.

Group C:

Australia – Serbia 18:35 (8:16)

Like in the first match against Algeria Serbia didn’t show all they are able to in the beginning. Australia stood strong until minute as Serbia couldn’t extend the distance as rapid as they expected. But in minute 27 it were ten goals, before the Aussies reduced to eight at the break – though they missed a lot of chances. The distance remained at about ten goals until the middle of the second half – before Australia lacked powers and Serbia didn’t have to give all they can to reach their second victory in Sweden.

Photos by Axel Heimken