A day before the end of the men’s qualifications for the 2020 European Championships in Budapest, almost all spots for the championships have been already booked.
France, Slovakia, Romania, Malta, Netherlands and Turkey are undefeated and they secured their tickets for Budapest. Germany has also qualified for the Championships, despite it suffered a loss to Georgia today.
The second competition day brought a few interesting matches.
Men’s European Championships 2020 -Qualifications, Day 2
Group A (Tbilisi, Georgia)
Georgia – Germany 9:7 (5:2,0:1, 1:2, 3:2)
Georgia: Crepulja 2, Bitadze 2, Jakhaia 2, Adeishvili 2, Magrakvelidze 1.
Germany: Real 2, Juengling 2, Restovic 2, Gielen 1.
Switzerland bye.
Georgia built a 3-goal lead in the first quarter (5:2), but the Germans started climbing back step-by-step. Germany equalised 50 seconds from the end of the third period (5:5), but the home team entered the last period with a minimal 6:5 lead. The Georgians added one goal quickly after the last break for 7:5. Germany came close (6:7) in the 29th minute, but the hosts responded immediately with two goals in 48 seconds for a safe 9:6 advantage.
Germany secured the 2nd place in the group, while Georgia will probably join the teams that are already qualified. It is really hard to expect Switzerland to defeat Georgia tomorrow.
1 Georgia 1 – 3
2 Germany 2 – 3
3 Switzerland 1 – 0
Group B (Novaky, Slovakia)
Belarus – France 6:22 (2:7, 2:6, 1:3, 1:6)
Belarus: Shalamitski 3, Dzikhtsiarenka 2, Filimonau 1.
France: Marion-Vernoux 5, Bachelier 3, Canonne 3, Camarasa 3, Kalinic 2, Vernoux 2, Izdinsky 2, Marzouki 1, Crousillat 1.
Slovakia – Ukraine 16:5 (3:0, 5:3, 2:1, 6:1)
Slovakia: Balaz 4, Marek Tkac 3, Zatovic 2, Kolarik 2, Carah 1, Baran 1, Molnar 1, Bielik 1, Pieter 1.
Ukraine: Kryvolapov 2, Dyadyura 2, Abramov 1.
Just like on Day 1, France and Slovakia beat their rivals with ease and confirmed the places at the 2020 European Championships. Tomorrow’s encounter between France and Slovakia will decide a group winner.
1 France 2 – 6
2 Slovakia 2 – 6
3 Ukraine 2 – 0
4 Belarus 2 – 0
Group C (Msida, Malta)
Malta – Portugal 12:10 (6:4, 3:1, 3:4, 0:1)
Malta: S. Camilleri 5, Cousin 2, M. Zammit 2, Di. Zammit 2, Gabarretta 1.
Portugal: P.F. Sousa 4, Ramos 3, R.P. Sousa 2, Costa 1.
Romania bye.
Malta defeated Portugal after a hard-fought battle and secured qualification for the European Championships. After a flood of goals in the first quarter, Malta had a 6:4 lead, but Portugal opened the second period with a goal to cut the deficit (6:5). After that, the visitors didn’t score until the middle break, while Malta produced a 3:0 rush to jump to a 9:5 lead before halftime. The hosts managed to keep the advantage and recorded a 12:10 win.
Tomorrow, Malta and Romania will battle for the first place in the group.
1 Romania 1 – 3
2 Malta 1 – 3
3 Portugal 2 – 0
Group D (Utrecht, Netherlands)
Turkey – Lithuania 24:7 (8:4, 7:2, 5:1, 4:0)
Turkey:Biyik 5, Ozbek 4, Caner 3, Cagatay 3, Yutmaz 3, Gurdenli 2, Kahraman 2, Sonmez 1, Yenigun 1.
Lithuania: Bakulo 2, Jokus 2, Vadvilavicius 2, Jakutis 1.
Netherlands bye
As it was expected, Turkey overcame Belarus and qualified for the European Championships, along with the Netherlands. The tournament will be ended by a clash of the Dutch and the Turks.
1 Netherlands 1 – 3
2 Turkey 1 – 3
3 Lithuania 2 – 0
The top eight teams from the previous European Championships, held in Barcelona last year, are also qualified for the Championships in Budapest: Serbia, Spain, Croatia, Italy, Greece, Montenegro, Russia, Hungary.
