All times are Egypt Local (CET is 1 hr behind; US ET is 7 hrs behind)
Odds courtesy of Bet MGM

If you want to watch the matches that aren’t available on ESPN+ check this article for how to watch geo-blocked matches on YouTube: Link

Semifinals

• 1830 France (-1.5) vs Sweden (on ESPN+) (YouTube) w/English commentary (Paul Bray)
• 2130 Denmark (Slight favorite) vs Spain  (on ESPN+) (YouTube) w/English commentary (Paul Bray)

It will be tough to match Wednesday’s quarter final drama with Egypt losing to Denmark in a penalty shootout and France needing Extra Time to take care of Hungary, but these 4 handball heavyweight should put on a good show.

Betting Predictions

For this tournament we’ve doing some betting predictions using an imaginary starting bankroll of a 1,000 Euros. Joining me will be, Sharp Action, a former professional handball player from France.

Odds are either from the Bet MGM or the Bet Rivers online sportsbooks.

John’s Pick(s):

• Bankroll: $1,023 (Wednesday Start) – $100 (Wednesday’s Loss) = $923 (Current Bankroll) Bankroll)
• Wednesday’s Result:
  • Denmark vs Egypt; Alt Handicap Denmark (-3.5) 1st half (+160 or 2.6); Bet $100 to win $160; RESULT: Denmark 16-13 at HT; Lose $100
• Today’s Pick:
  • France vs Sweden; Alternate Handicap; France (-3.5) (+188 or 2.88); Bet 100 to win 188
    • It’s quite an accomplishment for this “new look” Sweden team to make it to the semifinals. But, the big match that did it for them wasn’t really the win vs Qatar. No, their big win of the tournament was their 24-23 upset victory over Egypt in the Preliminary Round. Winning that match allowed them to follow the easy path that Egypt was supposed to take to get to the Semifinals. But, now the easy path has come to dead end. Line up the French roster vs the Swedish roster and it’s abundantly clear. France is clearly better at every position except GK and right wing. And, France has faced much stiffer competition throughout the tournament as well. Of course, you never know when France will have an off game like they did vs Hungary where they went down 7-1 in the first 10 minutes. I think, however, this game will look a lot more like their 32-23 beat down of Portugal.

Sharp Action’s Pick(s):

• Bankroll: Bankroll: $1,467.69 (Wednesday Start) + $224 (Wednesday’s win) = $1,691.69 (Current Bankroll)
• Wednesday’s Results:
  • Pick #1: Spain vs Norway; Spain (+120 or 2.2) to win (including extra time/penalties); Bet $100 to win $120; RESULT: Spain won 31-26; Win $120
  • Pick #2: 2 leg parlay; Denmark vs Egypt and Tunisia vs Austria
    • Leg 1: Denmark to win (-345 or 1.29); Denmark won 39-38
    • Leg 2: Tunisia to win (-136 or 1.74); Tunisia won 37-33
    • Parlay odds: (+124 or 2.24); Bet $100 to win $124: RESULT: both legs won; Win $124
  • Pick #3: Denmark vs Egypt; Emil Jacobsen (over 2.5 goals) (-200 or 1.5); Bet $50 to win $25; RESULT: Jacobsen had just 1 goal; Lose $50
  • Pick #4: Denmark vs Egypt; Svan Hansen (Over 2.5 goals) (-167 or 1.6); Bet $50 to win $30: RESULT: Hansen scored 6 goals; Win $30
• Today’s Picks
  • Pick #1: France vs Sweden
    • Hugo Descat; Over 2.5 goals (-118 or 1.85); Bet $100 to win $85
    • Once again I’m going with Descat, but this time the bookies didn’t make the mistake to set his line at + money. He’s very efficient from his wing and is also one of the 7 meters shooters. I don’t think he will need a lot of minutes to reach 3 goals just like we saw in the 2nd Half of the Portugal game where he scored 8 goals.
  • Pick #2: France vs Sweden
    • Nedim Remil; Over 2.5 goals (-147 or 1.68); Bet $100 to win $68
    • I think this is a low line for a long distance threat like Nedim REMILI, who will have to have a big role today. He plays as right back when Kentin MAHE is the playmaker, but like he often does with PSG, he will also play center back if Mahe is out, like he did in the match vs Hungary.
  • Pick #3: Spain vs Denmark
    • Spain to win (Draw- no bet) (+110 or 2.1); Bet $100 to win $110 (Note: if the match goes to Extra Time, the wager is returned)
    • I stand with my pre-tournament prediction of Spain to win it all. Like in the Norway game, I don’t think Los Hispanos should be the underdog here. They are simply a more complete team. Bottom line: This team has all the ingredients not only to play good handball, but also to win titles. Those two things may seem to be the same thing, but they are actually very different. And, that’s why Spain will win this match

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