[b]Scheduled Matches (Beijing Local Time)[/b]
0900-1030 Match 1: Germany vs. Egypt
1045-1215 Match 2: Poland vs. Brazil
1400-1530 Match 3: South Korea vs. Iceland
1545-1715 Match 4: China vs. Spain
1900-2030 Match 5: Denmark vs. Russia
2045-2215 Match 6: France vs. Croatia**MSNBC, Thu 1345-1430 [East Coast, USA Time]
[b]Video Links:[/b] http://www.nbcolympics.com/handball/video/index.html
Suggested match(es) to watch: All the Group B Matches, but the Denmark – Russia match was truly exciting.
[b]Notes: [/b]
– Group A: This group looks to be somewhat settled. China and Brazil have not impressed and don’t look like they have much of a chance to beat any of the other four teams. This means the other 4 teams, France, Croatia, Spain and Poland are likely to make the quarterfinals, with the only question as to where they will be seeded 1-4. Today’s France – Croatia match should help decide that today.
– Group B: This may well be the most wide open group in Olympic history, with all 6 teams still having realistic expectations for making it to the quarterfinals. Egypt and Denmark are in nearly must win situations. Perhaps Egypt will get a break against Germany today, who will be smarting from the injury and loss of Pascal Hens for the rest of the tournament
– Group B’s wide open status might be giving the top 4 teams in Group A some second thoughts on winning the group, particularly if Denmark slips in as the 4th seed in Group B.
[b]- Betting lines: [/b]According to betting comparison site, bestbetting.com, these are the point spreads for Sunday’s matches: Germany (-3.5), Poland (-9), Iceland (-2), Spain (-14.5), Denmark (-2.5), and France (-1.5)
Click on “Read the rest” for match results, current standings and news concerning the matches for this day.
[b]RESULTS[/b]
[b]Group A[/b]
Poland 28 – Brazil 25 (14:15)
Spain 30 – Poland 29 (16-12)
France 23 – Croatia 19 (11-9)
[b]Group B[/b]
Germany 25 – Egypt 23 (14:14)
South Korea 22 – Iceland 21 (10-9)
Denmark 25 – Russia 24 (10-10)
[b]Detailed Results:[/b] http://www.ihf.info/front_content.php?idart=1453
[b]Standings: [/b] http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/HB/C76/HBM400000.shtml#HBM400A01
[b]Group A[/b]
Rank Team Pts MP W T L GF GA Diff
1 France 6 3 3 0 0 90 64 26
2 Croatia 4 3 2 0 1 83 66 17
3 Poland 4 3 2 0 1 90 74 16
4 Spain 4 3 2 0 1 95 82 13
5 Brazil 0 3 0 0 3 65 95 -30
6 China 0 3 0 0 3 60 102 -42
[b]Group B[/b]
Rank Team Pts MP W T L GF GA Diff
1 Iceland 4 3 2 0 1 87 82 5
2 Germany 4 3 2 0 1 81 79 2
3 Korea 4 3 2 0 1 76 78 -2
4 Denmark 3 3 1 1 1 78 78 0
5 Russian Fed. 2 3 1 0 2 83 85 -2
6 Egypt 1 3 0 1 2 73 76 -3
[b]Quarterfinal Matches (based on current standings):[/b]
France vs. Denmark
Germany vs. Poland
Iceland vs. Spain
Croatia vs. South Korea