France also won the second game at the Handball World Championship and is in the main round. Two other co-favourites, Sweden and Spain, have also progressed. Co-hosts Poland, on the other hand, are in danger of being eliminated after their second defeat.
The Olympic champion and record world champion from France clearly beat Saudi Arabia 41:23 (24:14) in Katowice on Saturday (14.01.2023) and confidently leads Group B with 4:0 points. At the start, France narrowly defeated co-hosts Poland by 26:24.
The Poles also lost their second game with a clear 23:32 (11:17) against Slovenia and have to worry about progressing. Slovenia, on the other hand, is certainly further along.
Spain and Sweden in the main round
The two-time world champion Spain won their second victory in group A in a 34:26 (18:15) win against Chile in Kraków and is therefore also safe in the main round. The same applies to co-hosts Sweden, who won in Group C against Cape Verde in Gothenburg 34:27 (19:8). Despite the defeat, the Africans also made it through.
In the main round, the Spaniards, where Alex Dujshebaev was the best scorer with six goals, will face record world champions France.
Brazil also in the main round after beating Uruguay
Brazil also secured their ticket for the second phase of the tournament early with a 35:24 (19:10) in the South American duel against Uruguay. Because of the direct comparison won, the Brazilians (2:2 points) can no longer be surpassed by Uruguay (0:4) if there is still a possibility of a tie at the end of the preliminary round. The top three teams from each of the eight groups of four advance.
Iceland fails against Hungary
In Group D, title contenders Iceland gambled away a five-goal lead and ultimately lost to Hungary in Kristianstad by 28:30 (17:12). Hungary made it through and will face Sweden in the main round.