As the teams of Main Round group I had a rest day on Monday WCh host Sweden made a huge step to the semi-finals by their impressive 29:25 victory over Croatia. If Denmark take at least on point against Argentina later this evening both Northern Europeans teams are already qualified for the semi finals before their direct duel on Tuesday.

Group II:

Sweden – Croatia 29:25 (14:12)

The team was dancing on the field, the spectators were singing for minutes: After their great victories against Poland and Serbia this third straight win for Sweden opened the gate to the semi widely. With now 6:2 points Sweden is ahead of the Croats (3:5), which can’t reach the semis anymore. Now Sweden will cross their fingers for the Danes. Again the Swedish defense stood extra-ordinary strong. The huge middle block Tobias Karlsson and Magnus Jernemyr blocked the key attackers Ivano Balic and Igor Vori in a brilliant way.  And again goalkeeper Johan Sjöstrand was well prepared on the Croats – and saved in total more than 20 shots. After a nervous start of both teams the Swedes improved and were more patient in attacks. Thanks to the spectacular goals of Dalibor Doder they took the lead – but couldn’t increase it to more than goals before the break. And the host had to start the second half with a big burden, as Karlsson had received his second suspension right before the break. Top Croat player in the first 30 minutes was right wing Vedran Zrnic, who hadn’t only been cold as ice at his four penalty shots, but scored in total six times before the half time whistle. But Zrnic wasn’t enough after the break, as the Croats couldn’t stand the pressure in attack for eight minutes. They caused too many mistakes to reduce the gap to the Swedes, who were flying on the wings of success, supported by 10.000 spectators in Malmö. After goals of Doder and Ekdahl du Rietz and several more saves of Sjöstrand the distance was five goals for the first time in minute 35 (17:12). And the Croats shot much too early and were too hectic in this period to return to eye level again and to endanger Sjöstrand. But who thought the Croatian resistance was already broken, was wrong. By some changes in attacks the Balkan team reduced the gap again to 17:19 in minute 43, but when being close to the chances to equalize they missed the goal. Sweden kept calm in this crucial stage of the game – and still could count on Sjöstrand’s saves. Doder took the responsibility in the Swedish attack and with his seventh goal he extended the lead to 22:18, and when Jonas Larholm scored the 25:20 the Arena went crazy – and Croatia took their time-out eight minutes before the end. And coach Goluza found the right words, as his team scored three straight goals – everything was open again in his match full of emotions. But then the “Man of the Match”, Dalibor Doder decided this tough fight with his eighth goal, the 27:24 in minute 56. The rest of the evening was big party in blue and yellow. Top scorers of this match were Zrnic (nine goals for Croatia) and Doder (8 for Sweden).

Photos by Axel Heimken