So, the prelimaries are over. Which team plays in the main round now? The first three of Groups A, B, C and D get into the Groups I and II. They take their points and goals from matches against the other qualifying teams from the same group with them (one win = 2 pts, draw = 1 pt etc.).

An example:

Group D

Denmark (1st), Serbia (2nd) and Norway (3rd) made it to the main round (after normal point/goal count).

Denmark won against Serbia with 37:36 and against Norway with 32:28. So the two wins are giving 4:0 points and Denmark has a goal total of 69:64. Serbia has lost one match (vs. Denmark) and won the match against Norway with 27:26. So they end up with 2:2 points and a goal total of 63:63. Norway lost the matches against Denmark and Serbia, so they start with 0:4 points and a goal total of 54:59.

The finished main round groups:

Group I

1. France - 4:0 pts - 62:48 - +14
2. Croatia - 4:0 pts - 57:52 - +5
3. Sweden - 2:2 pts - 57:55 - +2
4. Hungary - 1:3 pts - 46:51 - -5
5. Slovakia - 1:3 pts - 50:59 - -9
6. South Korea - 0:4 pts - 51:58 - -7

Group II

1. Germany - 4:0 pts - 63:46 - +17
2. Denmark - 4:0 pts - 69:64 - +5
3. Serbia - 2:2 pts - 63:63 - 0
4. Macedonia - 2:2 pts - 53:62 - -9
5. Norway - 0:4 pts - 54:59 - -5
6. Poland - 0:4 pts - 52:60 - -8

Germany won 30:23 with an impressive performance over Poland. A nice match to view, many individual moves of the German players. Even with only four players (+ goalkeeper) versus Poland’s six plus one, Germany played itself into a frenzy. I hope they can keep up this spirit for the main round.

Best player on German side was the goal keeper, Carsten Lichtlein. Awesome how he kept his goal clear!

BTW, Spain lost their match to South Korea, so now South Korea takes Spain’s place in the main round. And with love from Macedonia, Russia was send to the President’s Cup instead. So Macedonia is still among the teams playing for the championship.