SUMMARY: Three teams suffer first defeats in thrilling day of Men's 20 EHF EURO 2024
Eight teams in the main round keep fighting for a place in the semi-finals of Men's 20 EHF EURO 2024 in Slovenia, with Spain - Portugal and Sweden - Denmark being two highlight matches.
The rest of the pack in the intermediate and elimination rounds are hoping to finish as highly as they can in the rankings, while some of them still haven't scored a single point in the tournament.
18:33
This is what it means to fight for every ball at this tournament. In this particular case Croatia's fighting spirit brought them their first intermediate round win against Slovenia.
18:26
Croatia, however, have taken down the hosts Slovenia and recorded their first win in the intermediate round. Marko Bajan provided valuable offensive assistance to Aleksandar Capric as they ended the match with 14 goals combined.
18:24
We've witnessed another crazy finish in the battle between Sweden and Denmark. As we approached the final two minutes Sweden had a three goal lead (29:26), but suddenly lost two players due to two-minute suspensions.
That opened the door for Denmark, who closed down the gap to 29:28 in the final minute. With a man down, Sweden somehow managed to find the net one more time (Källhage) before Tombak scored the final goal with just a few seconds left on the clock.
With that win Sweden jump to two points, Denmark and Norway also have two, while Germany have none. In the final match of the day in Arena Zlatorog Norway play Germany from 19:00 CET.
18:15 | FULL-TIME
SWEDEN - DENMARK 30:29
CROATIA - SLOVENIA 28:26
18:11 | FULL-TIME
GREECE - ITALY 27:27
A draw in Golovec as both teams had the chance to gain both points in their final possessions. In the end Italy will probably be a bit happier considering they recovered from a six-goal deficit (21:15). De Angelis and Manojlovic scored seven goals each, while Tzanos Batis netted 11 for Greece, who managed to at least score their first point of the tournament, although they are probably disappointed they couldn't keep their huge advantage until the end.
18:03
Denmark wasted a chance to grab the lead at 25:25. Instead, they've lost three straight possessions. Sweden took full advantage and they lead 27:25 with six and a half minutes remaining in this match.
17:58
Incredibly, Italy have recovered from a six-goal deficit to tie the score at 23:23. All still to play for in the Croatia - Slovenia clash as well. The Croats lead 23:21.
17:56
Both set of fans are in full voice in Arena Zlatorog, making their presence felt by their players on the court. So far, Swedish fans have more to cheer for, especially after a great save from Arvid Norén. However, Denmark eventually do score from the next play so it's 25:24 to Sweden. More bad news for Sweden as Pelle Segertoft receives a two-minute suspension.
17:47
Superb second half from Croatia so far. From three goals behind at the break they've now come to four goals in front, 21:17! Bajan scored from fast break.
It's almost the exact same score in the elimination round match where Italy have pulled a few goals back against Greece. It's 21:18 for the Greek side.
17:42
And just like that, it's 20:20 in Arena Zlatorog as Schmidt leveled the match for the first time since 10:10. Impressive fightback from Denmark, a 4:0 run in less than five minutes!
17:40
Powerful start from the Swedes who race off to a four-goal lead (20:16), but now the Danes respond with three goals in a row. Twice Lykke, once Pedersen.
Croatia have caught up with Slovenia, it's 16:16 now, while Greece increased their advantage against Italy to six goals (19:13).
17:30
We're back for the second half.
17:20
Denmark scored the opening goal of the match and that was their only lead so far. Sweden controlled the scoreline, but failed to move away from their opponents by more than three goals. In the final seconds of the half Sweden's goalkeper Arvid Skoog scored a spectacular goal over the whole court to make it 16:14.
Another goalkeeper impressed in Golovec. It was Greece's Georgios Daios who ended the first half with nine saves (52.9 per cent success rate) and therefore helped his team build a four-goal lead (12:8).
Slovenia hold a three-goal lead against Croatia in Lasko. Croatia's Aleksandar Capric the leading scorer in that game with six goals.
17:18 | HALF-TIME
SWEDEN - DENMARK 16:14
CROATIA - SLOVENIA 11:14
GREECE - ITALY 12:8
17:07
Hosts Slovenia are slowly beginning to form a gap between themselves and Croatia, they lead 10:7 after two successive goals from Zajc.
Greece have started well in search for their first win. Georgios Daios has already saves seven shots out of 13 as the Greeks lead Italy 10:6.
17:00
Sweden are still nurturing that one goal advantage, but Denmark are pushing hard to level the match (9:8). Andersson and Segertoft scored three goals each for the Swedes, just like Pedersen for the Danes.
16:50
Sweden just slightly in front after 10 minutes (6:5), but it's basically a 50-50 match so far. Only four goals in the Slovenia - Croatia match (2:2) and six in Greece - Italy (4:2).
16:40
Here we go, third set of matches today is under way! The focus will be on the Sweden - Denmark clash in Arena Zlatorog, but of course we will keep an eye what's going on between Slovenia and Croatia, as well as Greece and Italy.
16:34
Photos from the Iberian derby, as well as France - Poland and Israel - Czechia, are here. Check them out:
13:50
Coming up at 14:20 CET in the main round we have a hopefully spectacular Iberian derby between Spain and Portugal.
France and Poland meet in the intermediate round, while Israel and Czechia fight for points in the elimination round.
13:38 | FULL-TIME
ROMANIA - NORTH MACEDONIA 26:31
The game in Lasko ended a bit later than the first two. North Macedonia have maintained their unbeaten record at this tournament by beating Romania. Their run 6:0 at the beginning of the second period proved crucial, as they took a 23:17 lead.
Both of their goalkeepers deserve high grades. Ivan Galevski and David Brestovac combined for 15 saves, while in offence Dimitar Uzunchev and Valentin Karasmanakis enjoyed the best success scoring six and five goals respectively.
North Macedonia now have four points in the intermediate round, while Romania are still without a point.
13:32
It was an excellent second half from Faroe Islands who record their second win in the main round. Vedelsbøl and Mittún scored six goals each and goalkeeper Aleksandar Lacok made 10 saves. Ukraine have suffered their fifth defeat in as many matches in Slovenia.
13:30
There was no Iceland's miraculous comeback this time. Austria deserve their victory, having dominated the entire match. Once Iceland came within three goals, they didn't panic and instead turned it up a notch.
Austria's back court players impressed, with Felix Bernkop-Schnürch, Gabriel Kofler and Mats Rudnicki scoring 19 goals combined. Line player Clemens Meleschnig also played a terrific match on both ends, ended the match with six goals. Leon Bergmann saved 14 shots on goal, a brilliant performance from him too. His penalty shot save at 26:22 sealed it for Austria.
Austrians are now in full contention to reach the semi-finals ahead of the final day when they play Portugal. Iceland have only a point and they still have to play Spain.
13:28 | FULL-TIME
ICELAND - AUSTRIA 26:34
UKRAINE - FAROE ISLANDS 27:35
13:21
Austria have most certainly won it now. Bergmann saved a penalty shot and then Huber and Wuzella scored to make it 28:22. Less than five minutes left in this match.
13:19
For the first time since very early in the match Iceland are only three goals behind Austria. The scoreline says 25:22 with eight minutes to go.
Faroe Islands are closing in on another victory as they lead Ukraine 30:26, and it's almost all over in Lasko where North Macedonia have a huge 27:19 lead against Romania.
13:10
It's interesting to notice that all three guests on paper have a similar, if not the same lead. Austria are up by five goals (24:19), North Macedonia as well (23:18), while Faroe Islands lead by a goal less, 26:22.
13:06
Once more it's a four-goal cushion for the Austrians, but it's far from over. They lead 23:19 as we approach the halfway mark of the second period.
Now North Macedonia have scored four goals without reply and they lead Romania 21:17, while Ukraine are fighting back against Faroe Islands. They trail 24:22.
12:57
Incredible pace now in Arena Zlatorog, a total of 10 goals in only six minutes. Austria still have a solid lead 20:16, but Iceland are constantly threatening to further reduce the gap.
Faroe Islands are beginning to pull away in Golovec as they take a four-goal lead for the first time today (21:17).
In Tri Lilije Lasko it's all tied between Romania and North Macedonia (17:17). Dimitar Uzunchev is top scorer over there with six goals.
12:50
We're back. Iceland have the first possession as Austrians begin with a suspended player for about 50 seconds.
Just to remind you that you can watch all the matches live on EHFTV (subject to geo-restrictions).
12:41
Austrians have dominated the first half and should be quite happy with their six-goal advantage, but bare in mind that Iceland came back from exactly six goals behind yesterday against Portugal. Don't count them out just yet.
Romania - North Macedonia and Ukraine - Faroe Islands are pretty evenly matched so far, with no team being able to develop a lead bigger than three goals.
12:39 | HALF-TIME
ICELAND - AUSTRIA 10:16
ROMANIA - NORTH MACEDONIA 15:15
UKRAINE - FAROE ISLANDS 15:16
12:30
Austrians are still in control in Arena Zlatorog, they've just scored their 15th goal to lead 15:7.
Goalkeeper David Brestovac helped North Macedonia turn it around to gain advantage against Romania (13:12), whereas Faroe Islands made a 6:1 run to take a 15:13 lead in the final minutes of the first half.
12:18
Truly impressive play from Austria. Iceland have no idea how to break down their defence and now Austria's goalkeeper Leon Bergmann makes a save and then scores from his own goal! He did that yesterday against Spain as well. Brilliant. Austria lead 11:3.
12:15
As Austria's lead increases to 9:3 after Iceland's Erlingsson failed to convert a penalty shot, let's take a look what's happening in other matches.
North Macedonia opened up with a 3:1 lead, but now Romania are 8:6 in front, while Ukraine lead Faroe Islands by almost the same scoreline (8:5).
Check out one of Ukraine's early goals here.
12:10
First timeout called by the Iceland head coach, his team is down 7:3 after exactly 10 minutes of play. Austria's centre back Felix Bernkop-Schnürch has already scored four goals.
12:05
Much better start from Austria in comparison to yesterday's match. They lead 5:1 after six minutes.
12:00
Matches are all under way! In Arena Zlatorog Austria have the first possession against Iceland.
11:46
In the elimination round group K Ukraine are still in search of a first win against Faroe Islands, powered by competition's top scorer Óli Mittún. On Monday Ukraine lost do Czechia, while Faroe Islands beat Israel.
11:44
In the intermediate round group I Romania will be looking to bounce back after Monday's defeat against France, while North Macedonia hope to maintain their unbeaten record in the tournament. So far they've won two matches and drew two as well.
11:38
On the other hand, Austria fell against Spain 37:26, having made 18 technical faults in the match. Six of them in the first five minutes, which enabled Spain to open up a 5:0 lead. Surely today Austria will put extra focus into having a better opening phase of the match, with less mistakes.
11:34
On Monday Iceland produced a superb comeback to snatch a point against Portugal. You can check the late dramatic save by their goalkeeper after the time had already run out right here.
11:10
Today's action starts at 12:00 CET with three matches. In Group G of the main round Iceland meet Austria, in the intermediate round Romania play North Macedonia, while in the elimination round Ukraine and Faroe Islands are the first ones on the court.
11:00
Monday's action saw Spain, Norway and Denmark remain their perfect winning record, but story of the day was Iceland's incredible comeback to win a point against Portugal.
What happened in those matches, but also elsewhere in intermediate and elimination rounds, check in our day review:
