Europe enters main round in (almost) full strength

The World Beach Handball Championships in Budapest have reached the main round, and the European participants are going strong with eight from nine making it past the group phase.

From a European point of view, Poland became the unlucky ones to miss out. After five games had been played in Group A in the women's event, Beach Handball EURO 2015 silver medallists Norway, Chinese Taipei and Poland were on six points each with three games won and two lost.

But Poland had the worst difference when it came to sets won and lost and hence only placed fourth in the end. World champions Brazil topped the group in confident fashion, winning all five matches and not even losing a single set.

Also through with five wins from five are European men's champions Croatia who topped Group B in the men's ahead of Hungary and Italy.

As expected, the Croatia's fiercest rival will arguably be the Brazilian world champions. In Group A they also won all their matches to place first ahead of Qatar and Ukraine. 

In Group A in the women's event, Spain produced the best performance and won all five matches without losing a single set. European champions and tournament hosts Hungary came second, Italy placed third.

The main round is played on Friday. The teams that eventually place first to fourth qualify for the semi-finals which are scheduled for Saturday. The finals in the men's and the women's event will take place on Sunday.

For more information and for live streams of all matches head to the official event website.

Photos: HHF / Aniko Kovacs