Denmark, Norway and Croatia all still have the chance to qualify for Rio de Janeiro ahead of the last match day of Men’s Olympic Qualification Tournament III in Herning.
Denmark need at least a draw against Bahrain, and this is also what Norway require against Croatia, while only a win can send Croatia to Rio. The fourth team in the group, Bahrain, is without any chance to qualify.
Sunday April 10 in Jyske Bank BOXEN, Herning
Croatia vs Norway 18:00 local time
This decisive meeting will be a rematch of the bronze-medal game at the EHF EURO 2016 in Poland in January. On that occasion Croatia won 31:24, and the Croatians will be looking for a similar result on Sunday to be sure to book their tickets for Rio.
Following a 24:28 defeat against Denmark and a 33:22 win versus Bahrain, the Croatians are on two points, while Norway have three after a 35:29 victory against Bahrain and a draw with the home team. This means Norway can do with a draw to qualify for their first Olympic tournament since 1972, while Croatia, who won the Olympic gold in 1996 and 2004, must win outright in order to secure their place at the Games.
“One point against Denmark was perhaps okay, but it obviously means that we will now have to play a thriller against Croatia in order to get to Rio,” said Norwegian goalkeeper Ole Erevik.
Bahrain vs Denmark Sunday 20:30 local time
Both teams will be breaking new ground when they enter the court for the last match in the group, as the two nations have never met in an international match before.
For Bahrain there is only honour at stake – clear defeats in their first two matches mean that they have no chance to reach the Olympics any longer, but the situation is different for Denmark. After a 28:24 victory over Croatia and a 25:25 draw against Norway, the hosts need only a draw to qualify for Rio. If Norway win or draw against Croatia in the match before, Denmark may not even need a draw.
“Even though it would have better if we had made it all clear against Norway, we are still in a favourable situation,” said Denmark left wing Anders Eggert. “Although we have seen Norway and Croatia having certain problems with Bahrain in the first half, they have been able to run them over in the second half. I am sure we can make it.”