HANDBALL: Only five with perfect records in 24-team men’s World Championships

The 26th edition of the IHF men’s World Championships is continuing in Germany and Denmark, with group play heading toward the finish and the playoff rounds beckoning.

Through the first week-plus of the tournament (records shown as W-L-T):

Group A: 1. France (3-0-1); 2. Germany (2-0-2); 3. Russia (1-1-2); 4. Brazil (2-2-0); 5. Serbia (1-2-1); 6. Korea (0-4-0)

Group B: 1. Croatia (3-0-0); 2. Spain (3-0-0); 3. Macedonia (2-1-0); 4. Iceland (1-2-0); 5. Japan (0-3-0); 6. Bahrain (0-3-0).

Group C: 1. Norway (4-0-0); 2. Denmark (3-0-0); 3. Tunisia (2-2-0); 4. Austria (1-2-0); 5. Chile (1-3-0); 6. Saudi Arabia (0-0-4).

Group D: 1. Sweden (3-0-0); 2. Hungary (2-0-1); 3. Qatar (1-2-0); 4. Egypt (1-2-0); 5. Angola (1-2-0); 6. Argentina (0-2-1).

The tournament has been very well received, with 18 of the first 40 games playing to audiences of more than 10,000 spectators and three more to crowds above 9.000.

The top scorers so far have been no surprise. Germany’s Uwe Gensheimer leads with 25 goals, ahead of Timur Dibirov (RUS, 23) and three with 20 each: Magnus Jondal (NOR), Kiril Lazarov (MKD) and Ferran Sole (ESP).

Group play will continue through the 17th and the second round of groups will begin play on the 19th, The top three in each group will advance. Look for match results here.