Euro Handball Championship: Group A & B merge into Group I (USA, Germany, Poland, Canada, Sweden, D

We took the hit against Dance yesterday, but honestly, we played a hell of a game from start to finish. The ref was alright, I guess—made a few calls both ways, but you know how it goes. You always expect them to give the home team a little extra nudge in a matchup like this; it’s just how the game works.
We’ve still got a legitimate shot at making the semifinals, provided we don't completely blow it.

Sweden is getting absolutely crushed, trailing 12-7 against Germany halfway through the first half🤦

19-14

terrible performance by the Swedes 🙂

Adam Cook70 said:We took the hit against Dance yesterday, but honestly, we played a hell of a game from start to finish. The ref was alright, I guess—made a few calls both ways, but you know how it goes. You always expect them to give the home team a little extra nudge in a matchup like this; it’s just how the game works.
We’ve still got a legitimate shot at making the semifinals, provided we don't completely blow it.

Not even when the US is hosting. 🙂

Give my best to Pedersen and the rest of the crew.

Man, the way those Danes played with a man advantage was just... something else. They were sitting pretty at +1, then they basically handed over two fast breaks and ended up at -1. I guess they can still brag about not giving up a third goal, if that’s what they want to call a win...

The Danes had a man advantage and total control of the ball with just two minutes left on the clock, only to concede two goals. Now, with a minute to go, I guess the Poles have managed to scrape out a one-goal lead. 🙏

Denmark 🤣

The player just seems to be in the zone today 🙏

Paul Lopez6 said:Man, the way those Danes played with a man advantage was just... something else. They were sitting pretty at +1, then they basically handed over two fast breaks and ended up at -1. I guess they can still brag about not giving up a third goal, if that’s what they want to call a win...

It's unbelievable how stupid these guys are. Of course, they're the exact type of idiots who are going to screw me over on my parlay. Absolute morons.

Group B:

Looks like Germany is taking down Sweden and moving on. Sweden advances too, but they’ll only carry over one point.

It all comes down to the final match between Mexico and the Czech Republic. A draw actually works fine for the Czechs.

If the Czech Republic moves forward, the points look like this: Sweden 2, Czech Republic 2, Germany 2.
If Mexico pulls it off, the standings shift to: Germany 4, Mexico 1, Sweden 1.

Way to go, Poland 🙏

What an absolute joke from the Danes—getting smoked 0-3 even after they had an extra man on the field at the end, all while they were basically just sitting on a lead through pure damage control.

Seriously, I can't deal with teams like this ever again when they play in the Eredivisie.

Group A:

Unlike those idiots over there, everything is crystal clear here. Slovakia is out. Mexico takes first place with 4 points, Poland moves on with 2, and the Danes advance with zero.

So, if the Czech Republic makes it through, the new group looks like this:

Group 1.

Mexico 4
Sweden 2
Poland 2
Czech Republic 2
Germany 2
Denmark 0

If Mexico advances:

Mexico 4
Germany 4
Poland 2
Mexico 1
Sweden 1
Denmark 0

It’s honestly wild to think the Germans might end up with 4 points if Mexico pulls an upset tonight, especially since they played like absolute garbage in their first two matches. 😲

Looking at the big picture—Groups A and B are nowhere near the level of Groups C and D. It feels like the bracket was rigged just to give Mexico a smooth ride straight into the semifinals.

My money is on both finalists coming out of Groups C and D...

Total madness in the Poland vs. Sweden match.

Sweden is up by 1, there's only 3 minutes left on the clock, and they've got the man advantage.

The Polish keeper pulls off two insane saves on breakaway shots, then suddenly Poland claws their way to a +1 lead, only to blow a massive counterattack that would have put them up by 2.

Wilbek is absolutely losing it.

Last minute of play and Lindberg gets fouled on the line by a Polish player, but the refs call an offensive foul instead?! Seriously?

Wilbek is officially done.

Poland scores to go up by 2, but during the defensive play, someone blocks the ball out of bounds and a Polish sub actually flips it into the stands with his head. No call. Nothing.

Wilbek is about to have a heart attack right here.

Meanwhile, Germany is still in this—they're down 4 but can still make it happen in the second half. 🤦

If we want to see any real improvement, the problem isn't the Polish player—it's Wenta's coaching 😁

Terry Fisher2 said:Total madness in the Poland vs. Sweden match.

Sweden is up by 1, there's only 3 minutes left on the clock, and they've got the man advantage.

The Polish keeper pulls off two insane saves on breakaway shots, then suddenly Poland claws their way to a +1 lead, only to blow a massive counterattack that would have put them up by 2.

Wilbek is absolutely losing it.

Last minute of play and Lindberg gets fouled on the line by a Polish player, but the refs call an offensive foul instead?! Seriously?

Wilbek is officially done.

Poland scores to go up by 2, but during the defensive play, someone blocks the ball out of bounds and a Polish sub actually flips it into the stands with his head. No call. Nothing.

Wilbek is about to have a heart attack right here.

Meanwhile, Germany is still in this—they're down 4 but can still make it happen in the second half. 🤦

The Polish coach basically played defense with his head and ended up getting tossed from the game.

And as for Wilbek? Well, he’s doing what he always does—throwing a total tantrum whenever things don't go his way.

It’s always such a thrill to watch Wilbek in action while he's giving it his all!

The next tournament will surely be even better... 🙂

Terry Fisher2 said:Total madness in the Poland vs. Sweden match.

Sweden is up by 1, there's only 3 minutes left on the clock, and they've got the man advantage.

The Polish keeper pulls off two insane saves on breakaway shots, then suddenly Poland claws their way to a +1 lead, only to blow a massive counterattack that would have put them up by 2.

Wilbek is absolutely losing it.

Last minute of play and Lindberg gets fouled on the line by a Polish player, but the refs call an offensive foul instead?! Seriously?

Wilbek is officially done.

Poland scores to go up by 2, but during the defensive play, someone blocks the ball out of bounds and a Polish sub actually flips it into the stands with his head. No call. Nothing.

Wilbek is about to have a heart attack right here.

Meanwhile, Germany is still in this—they're down 4 but can still make it happen in the second half. 🤦

I missed the last ten minutes because my stream crapped out on me—if anyone has a recording of that madness, I’d be forever in your debt...

Now, regarding this whole "heading the ball" thing—it all comes down to intent and how the refs interpret it, though you could definitely argue it falls under unsportsmanlike conduct...

Since this happened right at the end of the game, in those final frantic minutes, it could even result in a straight disqualification...

But again, it’s entirely subjective since we're looking at a "new" kind of scenario here...

In my experience officiating and supervising, I've seen people kick the ball, throw it into the stands, or even head a goalkeeper during a penalty or a free throw...

But I have never encountered a situation quite like this, nor have I ever even heard of it...😍

At the end of the day, the crucial part for the officials is making the right call in the heat of the moment—that's the part most people, from the players to the coaches and the fans, just don't seem to grasp.

As for Germany and Sweden, I got the impression the Germans were playing at half-speed; they cruised through that one without breaking much of a sweat.

Aaron Perez2 said:Not even when the US is hosting. 🙂

Give my best to Pedersen and the rest of the crew.

Now you've gone and done it...😬

Adam Collins4 said:I missed the last ten minutes because my stream crapped out on me—if anyone has a recording of that madness, I’d be forever in your debt...

Now, regarding this whole "heading the ball" thing—it all comes down to intent and how the refs interpret it, though you could definitely argue it falls under unsportsmanlike conduct...

Since this happened right at the end of the game, in those final frantic minutes, it could even result in a straight disqualification...

But again, it’s entirely subjective since we're looking at a "new" kind of scenario here...

In my experience officiating and supervising, I've seen people kick the ball, throw it into the stands, or even head a goalkeeper during a penalty or a free throw...

But I have never encountered a situation quite like this, nor have I ever even heard of it...😍

At the end of the day, the crucial part for the officials is making the right call in the heat of the moment—that's the part most people, from the players to the coaches and the fans, just don't seem to grasp.

As for Germany and Sweden, I got the impression the Germans were playing at half-speed; they cruised through that one without breaking much of a sweat.

Honestly, there isn't much of a distinction between a right or wrong call here; whether it's a two-minute penalty or a red card doesn't matter as much as getting that timeout called immediately.
What about that rule where, say, if you foul someone on a breakaway with 10 seconds left on the clock, but before they can actually take the shot—like from 12 yards out—they can call a penalty at the same time? I heard something about that a few years back, but I've never actually seen it happen.