Successful group phase for European teams in Ekaterinburg

The group phase at the Men´s 19 World Championship in Ekaterinburg in Russia became a success for the European participants. 12 out of the 16 teams in the first knock-out stage at the tournament are from Europe, meaning that only two European teams had to leave the tournament before the last 16 matches.

People, in general, had great expectations in Sweden and Hungary in Group A, and neither team disappointed those who believed in them.

The Swedes won the group, only losing one point along the way, with Hungary two points behind them and Serbia in third position ahead of Korea, Poland being the only European team not to make it any further than the preliminary round.

Iceland made it clear that their win at the European Open in Gothenburg, Sweden earlier this summer was no coincidence. As the only team in the tournament, the talents from the saga island made it through the group phase without losing a single point.

Obviously, those five straight wins gave Iceland the first place in Group B, from which Spain, Norway and Egypt follow them to the knock-out phase, while Germany became the second and last European team not to make the cut.

Denmark completed the Nordic triumph in the preliminary round. Apart from a 29:29 draw against the Russian hosts, the Danes won all their matches and took the first place in Group C.

In this group, Switzerland turned out to be a bit unpredictable, suffering two digits defeats against Qatar and Denmark, but winning their three other matches, which gave them a third place behind Russia.

A further European nation, Croatia made it to the last 16 as the last team from this group.

Many experts were rating France among the favourites from the title before the tournament started, but the fact is that the French did not manage to beat Slovenia to the group win in Group D.

A 32:32 draw on the last match day of the preliminary round gave the Slovenians the first place ahead of the French talents due to the better goal difference. Brazil and Tunisia became third and fourth.

At least four European teams to bite the dust

At least four out of the 12 remaining European teams in the competition will have to leave after the next round on Sunday, though.

This is due to the simple fact that four of the last 16 matches are entirely European affairs.

Norway are facing Hungary, while Serbia and Spain will be locking horns, and so will Slovenia and Croatia, while Switzerland are running into France.

The remaining four matches are all between European teams and countries outside Europe – which, of course, still makes four all European quarter-finals possible.
Iceland are facing Korea, Sweden will be up against Egypt, hosts Russia are taking on Brazil, and Denmark are meeting Tunisia.