Croatia would potentially benefit from a defeat against Germany at the European Handball Championships. In the scramble for European places in the Olympic handball tournament, Austria’s entry into the semi-finals of this European Championship would be a disadvantage for Croatia.
One way to prevent this would be to lose against Germany on Wednesday evening (8.30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the European Handball Championship, on ARD and on Dyn), so that Germany advances. Croatia, as the last in the Cologne main round group, has no chance of making it to the semi-finals. They initially missed one of the three Olympic qualifying tournaments due to ninth place at the last World Cup, but could achieve it at the European Championships with a suitable constellation.
A Danish journalist pointed out this situation on Tuesday; The DHB and the world association IHF, which is responsible for Olympic qualification, confirmed the news. However, the DHB downplayed the significance of the constellation: “The most important thing will be that we get away from the fact that we might get something for free,” said sports director Axel Kromer.
The German team will reach the semi-finals if they:
wins against Croatia, draws against Croatia, Hungary gets a maximum of one point against France and Austria does not win against Iceland by more than nine goals. If there is a tie on points with Austria and no winner in the direct duel, the better goal difference would be in favor of the DHB team drawing against Croatia and Hungary winning against France and Austria against Iceland. If there is a tie on points with the rivals, the DHB selection would win the three-way comparison with Hungary and Austria, losing against Croatia and Hungary losing against France and Austria against Iceland, losing against Croatia, Hungary drawing against France and Austria losing against Iceland. If there is a tie on points with Hungary, the DHB selection would win the direct comparison against Croatia not losing by more than nine goals, Hungary losing against France and Austria drawing against Iceland. If there is a tie on points with Austria and no winner in the direct duel, the better goal difference would speak for the DHB selection losing against Croatia and Hungary against France and Austria against Iceland. If there is a tie on points with both rivals, the DHB selection would win the three-way comparison with Hungary and Austria Frank Heike, Cologne Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 17 Christian Kamp, Cologne Published/Updated: Recommendations: 5 Published/Updated: Published/Updated: