Easy matches for the favourites, no chances for the outsiders: As the three medal contenders France, Denmark and Croatia remain spotless after two matches, Romania, Egypt and Algeria still wait for their first points.

Group A:

Egypt – France 19:28 (8:12)

France is on straight way to the Main Round with four points after two matches – and before the decisive games against Spain and Germany: The reigning champion started strong and had the chance to decide the match early after leading 7:2 after 15 minutes.  But they failed, as Egypt found their rhythm and reduced the gap to two goals before the break. Thanks to the saves of goalkeeper Thierry Omeyer French kept the control and extended the lead again to four goals. In the second half France played much more concentrated and increased the gap minute by minute. Even as the Egyptians fought until the final whistle, they lacked the means  - so the gap was nine goals in the end. For Egypt it was the second defeat after losing to Germany.

Group C:

Algeria – Croatia 15:26 (11:11)

Like against Romania Croatia didn’t find their pace in the first half. As they tried to find ways through the highly offensive Algerian defense they caused too many mistakes – and scored mostly by individual actions or the genius ideas of Ivano Balic. But the Algerian didn’t only show a strong performance in their defense but also were clever enough to score. So surprisingly for the big number of Croatian supporters in Lund the Algerians extended the lead to 11:8 three minutes before the break.  But then they were shocked by an ankle injury of their goalkeeper Samir Kerbouche – and the Croats were able to equalize right with the halftime whistle thanks to three straight goals. And as the Europeans continued where they had finished, Algeria was without a chance in the second half. Three world class goals of outstanding Ivano Balic, an improvement in the defense and the ice cold Blazenko Lackovic brought Croatia a comfortable 20:13 lead in minute 43, which meant a total series of 12:2 after the 8:11. And in contrast to their Serbian neighbors, who nearly gave the match against Algeria from their hands, the Croats kept playing on. After that the Algerian resistance was broken, the Croatian fans started to celebrate the victory very early.  In minute 56 the distance were ten goals for the first time (24:14) – as Algeria only scored in total four goals in the second half.

Romania – Denmark 30:39 (16:17)

The match was absolutely equal until the score of 7:7, before Romania had their best period before the break, took a 12:8 lead and shocked the Danish spectators in Malmö. Like in their first match against Croatia Romania was the better team until that moment, But then the Danes improved and scored five straight goals to a 13:12 lead, mostly by counter attacks. By extending this gap to 17:14 they seemed to be on the winner’s way- but thanks to two penalties Romania came closer to one goal at the break.  Later-on the 18:18 was the last Romanian sign of life, as then only Denmark dominated the game. Until the 22:26 the gap was mostly four to five -  then Denmark extended the lead pre-decisively to 31:23 in minute 49. Supported by thousands of spectators the Danes then punished non-resistant Romanians in the final period with counter attack goals.

Photos by Axel Heimken