<br><div> <p data-end="442" data-start="220">Croatia took sole leadership of Group II of the Main Round of the handball European Championship, after Sweden and Iceland drew against Hungary (32-32) and Switzerland (38-38), respectively, in the third round.</p> <p data-end="835" data-start="444">At Malmö Arena, Sweden, record holder of European titles, stumbled again, despite favoritism. The Nordic team reached the break at a disadvantage (14-16) and only managed to salvage a point against Hungary, whose main figures were Bence Imre and Miklos Rosta (eight goals each). On the Swedish side, Felix Claar stood out as the match's top scorer, with ten goals.</p> <p data-end="1230" data-start="837">Even more unexpected was the outcome of the duel between Switzerland and Iceland. The Icelanders were at a disadvantage several times, losing by three goals and only in the last minute did they secure a draw (38-38). In the spotlight was Orri Thorkelsson, Sporting's left winger, who scored eight goals, as many as center Ellidi Vidarsson, after being left blank in the previous game.</p> <p data-end="1559" data-start="1232">Those who knew how to take advantage of these results were Croatia, current runners-up in the world, who took a decisive step towards the semi-finals by beating Slovenia 29-25. The Balkan team controlled the match practically from start to finish.</p> <p data-end="1783" data-start="1561">All things considered, Croatia leads Group II with six points, followed by Iceland and Sweden, both with five. Slovenia appears in fourth place, with four, while Hungary and Switzerland close the table, with two points each.</p> <p data-end="2076" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="1785">This Wednesday, Portugal is still dreaming of a place in the game to award the fifth and sixth places, but will have to beat Spain from 2:30 pm onwards, and expect defeats for France against Germany and Norway against Denmark, already qualified for the semi-finals, a match that you will be able to follow on our website.</p> </div>
