Slovakia keep qualification chances alive, Austria remain undefeated

Slovakia have kept their chances alive to make it to the World Championship 2017 Play-offs after they beat Lithuania 31:27 in Qualification Group 1 on Saturday.

However, they still have to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina, who won their match against Kosovo 41:25 and currently top the group with seven points ahead of Slovakia with five.

The decisive match between the two teams will take place in Hlohovec, Slovakia on 13 January. Bosnia-Herzegovina won the first leg 29:25. Only the first-ranked team of each qualification group makes it to the play-offs in June this year.

In Group 2 Austria recorded their fourth win in their fourth match, beating Italy 30:19 on Saturday. Similar to the Bosnians, the Austrian team needs a Round 5 win against Romania and they would have secured their place in the play-offs.

Romania play their Round 4 match on Sunday against Finland. Austria won the first match against Romania at home 27:24.

First rank in Group 6 will be decided between Switzerland and Netherlands, after the former won their game against Luxembourg 30:18 on Saturday.

Switzerland and Netherlands both have four points on their account and face each other in a double-header on 13 and 17 January.

Round 4 of the Men's World Championship 2017 Qualification continues on Sunday with Romania vs Finland in Group 2, Greece vs Ukraine and Latvia vs Cyprus in Group 3 as well as Turkey vs Belgium in Group 5.

Photo: ÖHB