English

Statements after the final

Karolina Berg — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 19:46:54 +0000

Ulrik Wilbek, Danish coach: We played a fantastic tournament, and we had no defeat in normal playing time. We lost a final against the best team of the world and we proved we are on the same level as France. We were unlucky in the beginning when pour left handed player Kasper Söndergaard was injured. But we came back every time and equalized the French lead often. We are very close to France. If we would have led in the 60 first minutes it might be in a different way. France has the more experienced team – but I hope that both teams meet in more finals in future. We are proud of a fantastic tournament.

Anders Eggert, Danish player: We are very disappointed at the moment, but we will realize that we played a great tournament – and we will be back in future.

It’s France again!

Karolina Berg — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 18:15:36 +0000

It was most thrilling World Championships final since decades – and in the end France defended their title. The Frenchmen beat Denmark 37:35 after extra time in an incredible tensioned fight for Gold. For France it was the fourth WCh title after 1995, 2011 and 2009.

Final: France – Denmark 37:35 (31:31, 15:12)

They danced over the field after 70 highly intense minutes – and then the French players were handed over the Gold medals and the trophy in the confetti rain of Malmö. On the other hand the Danes were absolutely disappointed as they were on eye level and so close to their first ever WCh title. But they received a great applause from their supporters and Crown Prince Frederic, who attended the match – and the Silver medals.

France is not only the only team which defended their title since 1974, but they’re now already qualified for the Olympics 2012 and the World Championship 2013 in Spain.

Sweden: "We are not under pressure“

Karolina Berg — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:08:41 +0000

The Swedish team have high hopes for the semi-final – even as they have to face the reigning European, World and Olympics champion France. “We hope for a great support from the stands – and the pressure is on France, not us,” says head coach Staffan Olsson.

Semifinals finalized: Sweden vs. France, Denmark vs. Spain

Karolina Berg — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 21:38:53 +0000

The last two matches of both Main Round groups had to decide the constellation in the semi-finals: And as Denmark beat Sweden they ranked first in group II and meet Spain in the semi-final on Friday on 28 January (20:30) in Kristianstad. France won the group I by their seventh victory against Iceland and will play against host Sweden (18:00) in Malmö on Friday. Spain and France are equal in points, but France have the better goal difference and rank ahead the Iberians. Denmark is the only team with eight victories in eight matches and lead the final ranking with 10:0 points ahead of Sweden (6:4). Aside Serbia beat Argentina and play for the places 9/10 against Norway. The Gauchos will meet Germany in the 11/12 placement match.

Semi-finals:
Sweden – France (Friday, 28.01, 18.00 in Malmö)
Denmark – Spain (Friday, 28.01, 20.30 in Kristianstad)

Croatia and Iceland book ticket for Olympics qualification tournaments

Karolina Berg — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 19:46:09 +0000

Thanks to their 28:24 victory against Poland in the decisive Main Round match in Malmö Croatia finish the group ranked third – and booked their ticket for the Olympics qualification tournament in April 2012. In the placement match 5/6 the Croats will meet Iceland, which can’t overtaken as group third in group I in Jönköping after Hungary lost against Spain. Iceland are also qualified for this tournament directly, no matter how they play against France later. Hungary and Poland play for the decisive seventh place on Friday – and only the winner is qualified for the Olympics qualification tournament. Spain remained unbeaten with their seventh victory in their eighth match. Depending on the result France –Iceland they finish first or second in their group.

Group I in Jönköping:

Spain – Hungary 30:24 (13:13)

German disaster against Norway

Karolina Berg — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:56:03 +0000

The next decision in group I is taken: Norway will go for the places 9/10 and Germany will play for 11/12 after their clear defeat against the Northern Europeans.

Main Round, Group I in Jönköping:

Germany – Norway 25:35 (13:17)

Updated again: Exchanging tickets for the semifinal in Kristianstad

Ola Richardsson — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:00:51 +0000

Update 1: Those who have a 'Ticket Fast' ticket (e-ticket – in PDF format) for the semi-final in Malmö and like to exchange this for the semi-final in Kristianstad are now able to do this by calling Call Center at +46 77 170 70 70. You have to state your order number.

Update 2: Here is another way to try to exchange tickets:

Those who have tickets for Malmö and like to attend to the match in Kristianstad can send an e-mail to semimalmo@handball2011.com and state your name, e-mail address, telephone number and the number (and category) of tickets that you would like to exchange.

Those who have tickets for Kristianstad and like to attend to the match in Malmö can send an e-mail to semikristianstad@handball2011.com and state your name, e-mail address, telephone number and the number (and category) of tickets that you would like to exchange.

Croatia and Poland fight for Olympics tournament

Karolina Berg — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:45:26 +0000

The Main Round match Croatia vs. Poland in Malmö today will decide what team is directly qualified for the Olympics Qualification tournament in group II. Poland have 4 points on their account and only need a draw to reach the third place in the group, Croatia (3:5 points) need to win, otherwise they rank fourth or even fifth –if they lose and Argentina win against Serbia. The third place means the direct qualification for the Olympics Qualification tournaments, the team ranked fourth have to win the placement match against the fourth ranked team of group I to book the ticket.

The way to London – how to qualify for the Olympic Games

Karolina Berg — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:43:16 +0000

Each 12 women’s and men’s team will compete in the Olympics handball tournament in London 2012. Host Great Britain is directly qualified for both tournaments, same as the World Champions 2011 (Sweden for men and Brazil for women).

Additional four direct qualification places are given to the Continental Federations from Europe, Asia, Africa and Pan America. As the Women’s EURO has already been played as the first Continental qualification tournament, the others will follow until the Men’s EURO in January 2012. The winners of those Continental tournaments are directly qualified for the Olympics.

The remaining six places for London will be decided in each three IHF Olympics Qualification Tournaments in 2012 – the men’s tournaments will be played in April 2012, the women’s tournaments in May 2012. The each two best ranked teams of those tournaments are qualified for the Olympics.

How to qualify for those qualification tournaments?

Playing times and venues for semi-finals fixed

Karolina Berg — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 11:29:39 +0000

In close cooperation with IHF TV partner UFA Sports and the Swedish OC the IHF Competition Management has fixed the playing times and venues for the semi-finals of the World Championship in Sweden.

The semi-final including Sweden will be played on 28 January, 18.00, in Malmö, the semi-final including Denmark will be played 28 January, 20.30, in Kristianstad.

The semi-final opponents will be decided in the last Match Day of Main Round Group I in Jönköping between Spain and France.

France complete semi-finals

Karolina Berg — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 21:20:19 +0000

All four semi-finalists are known, but the composition has not been decided yet: Like Denmark, Spain and Sweden before France has reached the round of the last four teams after their 31:26 victory against Norway. If the French team will finish first or second in Group I will be decided on Tuesday, same as the constellation of Sweden and Denmark in their direct duel. Before the final Match Day of the Main Round France and Spain are equal in points (7:1).

Group I: France –Norway 31:26 (17:14)

Hungary hopes for the Olympics

Karolina Berg — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 19:54:42 +0000

With now 4:4 points Hungary are on their way to the qualifications tournament after beating Germany. They are equal in points to Iceland now, as the Germans remain with 2:6 points.

Main Round, group I:

Hungary – Germany 27:25 (10:12)

Spain third team in the semis

Karolina Berg — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 18:38:42 +0000

Still unbeaten team of Spain has booked their semi final ticket. With now 7:1 points after the clear 32:24 victory against Iceland they can’t be overtaken from any team from the second place in group I.

Group I: Iceland – Spain 24:32 (10:20)

Sweden and Denmark in the semi-finals

Karolina Berg — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 20:59:55 +0000

Both Northern European neighbours have reached the WCh semifinals after the second Match Day of the Main Round: After Sweden had beaten Croatia, Denmark took both points against Argentina. For Denmark it was the seventh victory in the seventh match – and now it’s decided that no other team can overtake Sweden anymore. Both semi-finalists will meet on Tuesday for the group winner – and a draw is enough for Denmark to remain on top. No matter what team will win the group the Danes play their semi in Kristianstad and Sweden in Malmö.

Group II:

Poland – Serbia 27:26 (10:11)

Sweden fly on the wings of success

Karolina Berg — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 19:01:35 +0000

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)