Summary: France win and devastate Iceland's hopes
EHF EURO

Summary: France win and devastate Iceland's hopes

After a fortnight of competition, the main round comes to a close on Wednesday with three exciting matches in store in Budapest.

It is never an easy game against France. We had several close matches in the last few years. We played well in the first half, while they played better in the second. As good as we were in the defence in the first period France was equally good in attack during the second. They scored too many easy goals and that destroyed us today.

Kevin Møller
Goalkeeper, Denmark
One big question ahead of this game was how important it was for Denmark to win — they could choose to rest stars and perhaps sacrifice first in the group or go full throttle and knock out France, a side sure to rise to the occasion in the medal round. When we saw they would take the court for this group-deciding game without Mikkel Hansen, Mathias Gidsel and a key defender, Magnus Saugstrup, it seemed they may be favouring the first option. But the reigning world champions are proving just how strong they are here with a comfortable lead at the break. France are staring their elimination in the face here. Can they possibly turn this around?
Courtney Gahan
EHF journalist
Less than a week ago, Thijs van Leeuwen was sitting at his day job at home in the Netherlands — and then his phone rang and he was asked to travel to Budapest to join the squad, which he was not even named as part of in the 35-player submission prior to the EURO. Yet after all other goalkeepers for the Netherlands tested positive, van Leeuwen was the next choice, and he delivered a huge game versus Montenegro. Again today he has played an important role with some critical saves and one has to wonder whether he has moved a little up the list of choices in the Dutch goal.
Courtney Gahan
EHF journalist
Iceland have scored almost double Montenegro's goals in the first half, and the stats sheet gives you a part of the explanation, as Viktor Hallgrímsson has been doing wonders again between the posts. But, more than that, it is thanks to their whole defensive performance that Iceland have been on top so far. And that is, even after losing Aron Palmarsson within the first five minutes. It looks like France really will have to beat Denmark to get their ticket to the semis.
Kevin Domas
EHF journalist

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