The United States of America delivered one of their biggest-ever performances on the world stage as they pushed record-breakers Denmark at the Malmö Arena, eventually losing 24:33 in their main round clash of the 2023 IHF Men's World Championship.
The Danes, with a rotated team and key players rested, were not only playing in front of a packed arena of their fans but are also going for their third, unprecedented world championship in a row. This result now means they have gone 25 games unbeaten in the competition.
After their handball federation website had implored their fans to ‘believe in miracles’, Croatia kept their 2023 IHF Men’s World Championship quarter-final hopes alive with a business-like performance and 34:26 win against Belgium in their second match of the main round.
Hungary made their side of the deal and won against Cape Verde on the last day in Gothenburg. With six points and second place in the Main Round Group II, Chema Rodríguez's team kept their hopes of a quarter-final spot alive. Hungary now awaits a top-notch match between Sweden and Portugal at 20:30 CET and must cheer for Sweden.
Main Round Group II
Cape Verde vs Hungary 30:42 (15:22)
Poland finished the 2023 IHF Men's World Championship on a high, taking a 26:22 bittersweet win over the Islamic Republic of Iran and finishing in the fourth in Group I of the main round in Krakow.
Main Round Group I
Brazil were in the lead throughout for most of the match, but Iceland never gave up. They stepped up a gear in the last 10 minutes of the match and, with a spectacular comeback, ended their Poland/Sweden 2023 journey with a win.
Main Round Group II
Brazil vs Iceland 37:41 (22:18)