European Handball Championship: Poland defeated Serbia, France beats Macedonia – SPIEGEL ONLINE

dither win for the hosts, laborious success for the defending: The favorite teams Poland and France have mastered their opening hurdles at the European Handball Championship in spite of some start-up problems. Host Poland won with his German coach Michael Biegler thanks to a nerveless final spurt before over 15,000 spectators against Serbia 29:28 (14:15). In the second match of Group A had World and European champion France before Macedonia defeated after a significant increase in performance in the second half 30:23 (12:12).

Bieglers highly traded team did against Serbia from the start, difficult and long time running in Krakow come from behind. In an exciting final stages but the hosts kept a cool head and won thanks to strong goalkeeper Slawomir Szmal. Circle runner Bartosz Jurecki had six goals best Polish launcher. When victory of the French superstar Nikola Karabatic (2 goals) was runner circle Cedric Sorhaindo with six goals top scorer.

Also co-favorite Croatia launched into the tournament with a win. The team led by the Kiel Domagoj Duvnjak defeated Belarus 27:21 (15:15) and convinced primarily on the defensive. In the second half conceding the Croats, in right-wing Manuel Štrlek (9 goals) had their best pitcher, only six goals.

In the second match of Group B in Katowice won Iceland against Norway 26:25 (10:11). The ball hits the labeled Left Wing Guðjón Valur Sigurðsson (6 goals) Twelve seconds to go. Best scorer was Icelandic playmaker Aron Palmarsson with eight goals.

The German team will start this Saturday in the tournament. Opponents at 18.30 clock is Spain. (Live ticker SPIEGEL ONLINE; TV: ZDF)