The Main Round started with a surprise: Germany beat Iceland, it was the first defeat for the Northern Europeans in Sweden. Aside Spain (against Norway) and Croatia (against Argentina) took clear victories. Sweden can hope for the semis after beating Serbia.

Group I:

Spain – Norway 33:27 (15:12)

Spain improved their position in the race to the semi-finals by this opening victory. With now five points the Iberians can hope for the semis, in contrast to Norway, remaining with zero points, but still hoping for a ticket to the Olympics qualification tournaments. The first period was on eye level as both teams were equal until the score of 5:5 in minute 14. But in between two minutes the Spaniards extended to 9:5 as Norway played weak – and later-on the Iberians led with a five goal difference. Thanks to their goalkeeper Steinar Ege Norway reduced to three goals at the break. But everything changed completely after the break, when Spain only needed twelve minutes, before the score was 22:13 – the pre-decision! The rest of the match was cosmetics by the Norwegians, which reduced to six goals in the end, but couldn’t endanger the poniards. Top scorer was Norwegian pivot Bjarte Myrhol.

Germany – Iceland 27:24 (15:13)

First Main Round points for Germany, first defeat for Iceland during this WCh: This 24:27 mean a huge strike for the Northern Europeans in their semi campaign. The Germans celebrated two important points on their way to qualify for a Olympics qualification tournament. Thanks to their strong defense Germany turned a 0:2 in a 6:2 – and later-on they led with a five goal difference. But as the Icelandics reduced the gap to two goals at the break, the game remained full of tension.  Both teams had problems in finding their rhythm after the re-start and Iceland equalized by a penalty shot of Olafur Stefansson at the 18:18. But the game didn’t change – as the Germans had their strongest period. Led by Holger Glandorf, who scored four times in this crucial stage, Germany extended the lead pre-decisively to 24:19. Afterwards the Germans controlled the match and their opponent and took a well-deserved victory. Top scorer of the game was Icelandic Alexander Petterson.

Group II:

Croatia – Argentina 36:18 (19:6)

Perfect opener for Croatia, free lesson for Argentina: Croatia now have 3:3 points on their account, as the gauchos remain with two points. Croatia started like a blizzard and Argentina stood on the field while being overran in the first 15 minutes. As the Balkan team played highly concentrated in attack and stood like a wall in defense the gauchos didn’t have a chance. After the 5:1 Croatia extended the gap pre-decisively to 13:3 – at the break the distance was already 13 goals, as Argentina was far away from their performances they had shown in the Preliminary Round. Croatia scored from all positions, and Argentina was not more than a playing ball to them. Even as Argentina started to score after the break, the distance remained with more than ten goals all the time. Recognizing that the goal difference in the end might decide, this result nearly meant three points for the Croats. Top scorers were Zrnic and Buntic (seven goals for Croatia) and Simonet (five goals for Argentina).

Serbia – Sweden 24:28  (13:12)

Thanks to a brilliant defense and goalkeeper Johan Sjöstrand  Sweden can hope for the semi-finals: By beating Serbia the WCh host now have 4:2 points on their account, as Serbia (1:5) seems to be out of the race to the semis after the first Main Round Match Day. Serbia had the better start thanks to the goals of pivot Rastko Stojkovic and Marku Vujin, but after the 7:5 the Swedish team changed the goalkeeper from Mathias Anderson to Johan Sjöstrand – and then the game became equal. Sjöstrand saved some important shots and his teams took the profit in attack. But the physical strong Serbians were not impressed and still found enough holes in the Swedish defense, as aside their goalkeeper Darko Stanic saved well. At the break Serbia was in lead 13:12. Sweden started well in the second took the lead at 15:14. Serbia had to work much harder for every goal than the host with their easy attacks. Aside Sweden took the profit from several  Serbian two minutes suspensions, but they couldn’t extend the lead. Despite this pressure on the Serbians the match remained absolutely close with changing leads until minute 50. As the Serbs missed three straight chances, the Swedes extended the lead to 23:20 by two goals of Kim Ekdahl du Rietz. Serbian coach Vukovic took his time-out, after his attack seemed to lose concentration. But nothing changed: Sjöstarnd saved incredible, the Swedish defense led by Magnus Jernemyr had built up a real wall – and Serbian couldn’t break through. When again Ekdahl du Rietz hammered the ball into the goal to 25:21 and Sjöstrand saved the next Serbian shot the match was decided at the 25:21 in minute 57. The Serbian resistance had been broken, the Malmö Arena went crazy. Top scorers were Vujin (eight goals for Serbia)  and Ekberg and Ekdahl with each six for Sweden.

Photos by Sascha Klahn