[b]Group 1[/b]
FRA-GER 26 : 29 (9-14)
ISL-SLO 32 : 31 (17-15)
POL-TUN 40 : 31 (17:13)
[b]Standings[/b]
Iceland 6 +13
Germany 6 + 14
Poland 6 +4
France 4 +12
Slovenia 2 -12
Tunisia 0 -29
Germany held off a late French rally to win 29-26 and moves into a first place tie with Iceland and Poland. Germany had a stellar first half holding France to 9 goals. French pressure in the 2nd half gradually ate into the German lead, but two penalty shot saves by Henning Fritz had the French side once again questioning their supposed front runner status. The French defense was less then stellar and an 11% save percentage (3 stops on 27 shots) from all star goalie Thierry Omeyer is certainly an anomaly. Assuming France bounces back against Tunisia they will like finish 3rd or 4th setting up a monster quarter final vs. either Croatia or Spain.
Iceland also held off a late rally from Slovenia setting up a showdown vs. Germany for Group 1 supremacy. While Poland easily defeated Tunisia to secure a ticket for the Quarter Finals
[b]Group 2[/b]
CRO-CZE 31 : 29 (14-12)
HUN-ESP 31 : 33 (15-17)
DEN-RUS 26 : 24 (16:14)
[b]Standings[/b]
Croatia 8 +16
Spain 6 +8
Denmark 4 +3
Hungary 4 -5
Russia 2 -7
Czech Republic 0 -15
Croatia continued their winning ways as they eliminated Czech Republic from quarterfinal qualification with a 31-29 win. Spain took care of Hungary and can take first place by beating Croatia tomorrow. Denmark secured a ticket to the final 8 with a victory over Russia. Russia still can advance, but they need a 2 goal win tomorrow vs. Hungary.
President’s Cup (Places 13-18)
NOR-KOR 34 : 32 (17-17)
UKR-ARG 23 : 22 (13:8)
The European Sides again had their way in Lemgo, but both South Korea and Argentina put up a good fight. Norway and Ukraine will play tomorrow for 13th place while South Korea and Argentina will play for 15th.
[b]President’s Cup (Places 19-24)[/b]
AUS-BRA 23 : 30 (6-17)
ANG-MOR 28 : 32 (14-16)
As earlier reported Brazil took care of Australia 30-23. Morocco defeated their African rivals to take first place in Group 4. Morocco will take on Brazil for 19th place, while Angola will take on Greenland for 21st.