Overview
- Portugal stunned host and world champion Denmark 31:29 in Herning, reshuffling the schedule so Germany’s first Hauptrunde opponent is Portugal on Thursday at 15:30.
- The EHF banned Portuguese pivot Victor Iturriza for one match for serious unsportsmanlike conduct, ruling him out of the Germany game.
- Germany enters the main round on two points as group winners, with officials and players calling the field the toughest in years; the top two teams will reach the semifinals.
- Germany’s main-round slate is Portugal (Thu 15:30), Norway (Sat 20:30), Denmark (Mon 20:30) and France (Wed 18:00).
- The turnaround followed a 34:32 win over Spain that averted elimination, and the Portugal opener also revives last year’s World Championship quarterfinal defeat that Germany seeks to avenge.