World champion beats European champion: Denmark wins top match against Sweden

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World champion Denmark did not let defending champion Sweden stop them on their way to the semi-finals of the European Handball Championship in Germany. The tournament favorite with the exceptional players Mikkel Hansen and Mathias Gidsel won against their arch-rivals in Hamburg with 28:27 (17:15). With 6:0 points, Denmark is ahead of Sweden (4:2) and Portugal (4:2) in the Group II table.

Hansen (36) leads his team to a prestigious victory in front of the many fans who made the short journey from home. The former world handball star scored five goals, Gidsel, as the most successful player in the game, even contributed ten goals to Denmark’s fifth victory in the tournament, which was again in danger despite a strong lead in the final phase.

The ambitious Swedes, who also entered the match with their neighbors with four victories, held out until the score was 12:12 in the first half. However, the Scandinavians still have to leave before half time. Shortly before the end, the European champion fought back, but missed the possible draw in the final attack.

Portugal retains a chance of reaching the semi-finals

Portugal earlier beat Slovenia 33:30 (18:17) to maintain its chances of reaching the semi-finals. The Portuguese will challenge Sweden on Sunday on the penultimate matchday of the group, while Denmark will take on Norway.

The two-time World Cup runner-up scored his first points in the main round with a 35:32 (16:18) victory against the Netherlands, but the semi-finals were already far away due to the defeat against Portugal on Wednesday. Norway surprisingly lost to Slovenia in the preliminary round. (AFP)

Source : Blick