Summary: France in semis; Germany and Iceland win on Monday

• group I play their third set of matches in Cologne
• Croatia out of semi-final contention after 30:35 defeat by Iceland; France beat Austria 33:28 to progress 
• at 20:30 CET, Germany vs Hungary (with live audio description)
• watch the EHF EURO live show, presented by Trivago, on Twitch from 15:00 CET
• read the day preview
• download the Home of Handball app to make your match predictions and vote for Grundfos Player of the Match (45 minutes into each game)
• follow the EHF EURO social media channels: X, Facebook and Instagram
• find out how to follow the tournament
• all photographs © Kolektiff Images

22:45

There are two main round days left (only!) and still so many questions to be answered. We'll answer one of those - which team will play in the 5/6 placement match from group II - tomorrow. Join us again from 10:00 CET for another day of EHF EURO 2024 action.

22:38

Germany's defence was like a wall this evening, as you can see for yourselves in the YouTube highlights. Click here for the other games of the day.

22:23

EHF journalist Adrian Costeiu has done the calculations, and here's the match review - looking at what might happen next in this fascinating, close group, as well as analysing the German performance.

22:07 | FULL-TIME

Germany 35:28 Austria

Germany stay alive, even moving into second place in the group. They, Hungary and Austria all still have a chance of going to the semi-finals as they play Croatia, France and Iceland respectively on Wednesday. What a group!

It was a win driven by the German defence, who were solid to the end, and helped by Andy Wolff who showed up late but then did show up with nine saves - poor by his standards, but better than the five the two Hungarians managed. 

Julian Köster scored eight goals from nine shots and added four assists to be voted Grundfos Player of the Match. 

22:00

Inside four minutes now, and although Hungary are scoring they're not closing the gap on Germany who lead by five goals. Barring a miracle, this game looks like it's wrapped up, although it's not stopping Adrián Sipos from throwing his body on the line for his country at every opportunity.

21:54

László Bartucz makes an important save at 28:23 to Germany, but then so does Andy Wolff down the other end. Hungary need to score - and eventually Richárd Bodó does, following a rare German turnover. 28:24. 

21:50

Germany lead 28:23, and there's 10 minutes to play. Andy Wolff is now saving things - up to five saves now (25 per cent) - and the Hungarians are running out of time, fast. 

21:45

Into the last quarter and Germany lead 26:22. Time to vote for the Grundfos Player of the Match!

21:41

In an effort to force a change in the game, Hungary are playing a seven-on-six attack - but it's cost them one goal and it almost cost them another only for Johannes Golla to miss the empty net. Still a three-goal lead to Germany.

21:37

It's been very stop-start for a few minutes with no goals, generally as Hungary have been battling to break through the German wall of defence. Andy Wolff has finally made a save! Germany lead 22:19.

21:29

Hungary have had a nightmare restart, with three turnovers and two goals conceded in under four minutes. Chema Rodriguez calls an early timeout, probably to tell his men to remember whatever he'd told them in the dressing room only a few minutes earlier.

21:25

Richárd Bodó loses the ball on the first attack as the game resumes, and Juri Knorr is first to score to give Germany a 19:17 lead.

21:18

Check in on the EHF EURO live show for half-time chat - and join the watchalong for the second half!

21:13 | HALF-TIME

Germany 18:17 Austria

Well, as the tournament gets deeper the matches are continuing to be enthralling - this is a heavily defensive clash, but a high-scoring one with the goalkeepers all struggling a bit. Alfred Gislason brought Andy Wolff back on for the end of the half, but he didn't get to touch the ball. 

Jannik Kohlbacher gave Germany the half-time lead with a fast break after Hungary lost the ball just before the break, but it's still all on. 

Here's what Adrian Costeiu thinks.

21:03

With the game paused so the referees can have words with some of the players, Chema Rodriguez takes the chance for a timeout after Germany took a 16:15 lead. It's really close.

Julian Köster has been very good so far.

20:59

The Germans are transitioning faster and not giving Hungary the time to form their defence; Hungary are slower, and that means Germany can set up their line better. 

Both goalkeepers have switched from the beginning of the match, and David Späth and Kristóf Palacsics have now both got their hands on the ball - plus there have been some near misses, each greeted with a roar from the crowd, who are enjoying this tight contest. Hungary lead 15:14.

20:53

Two goalless minutes before Gergö Fazekas breaks the deadlock, but Germany answer quickly - 12:12 as we head towards 20 minutes.

20:49

Germany earn themselves a penalty and Juri Knorr sends it past Kristóf Palacsics - 10:10. Generally, though, Germany are winning the defensive battle just now, even if they still haven't made any saves.

20:43

A change in goal for Germany as David Späth comes on. Hungary lead 8:7.

20:40

After eight and a half minutes, Kai Häfner equalises at 6:6. With Andy Wolff failing to save so far, Hungary have had a better beginning. 

20:34

Kai Häfner gets the scoring underway for Germany, only a week after becoming a father for the second time. Hungary's Miklós Rosta has also just become a dad - but he's here in Cologne tonight, on the bench right now. That's commitment to the team.

20:30

A step towards the semi-finals awaits for the winner of this game.

20:20

Here in the LANXESS arena the arena announcer is hyping up the mostly German crowd, reminding them Germany really need a win tonight and telling them they must be behind their men right to the end. 

It's perhaps unsurprising that when he then asks where the Hungarian fans are, they reply with a few boos. But they are completely outnumbered. On Saturday the home crowd definitely helped Germany to their comeback draw with Austria; can they drive Germany to a win now?

Listen to the match with live audio description. 

20:15

A bit more illness in the teams, with Timo Kastening missing Germany vs Austria. Lukas Zerbe will be on in his place in his tournament debut. No major missing players for Hungary, on the other hand. 

20:00

The last game of the day, between Germany and Hungary, is critical. At the moment, Hungary and Austria both have four points, and Germany has three. Germany must win to stay in the running. 

It's clear, however, that the second semi-finalist in this group will not be determined until Wednesday is over.

19:53

Facing a side led by his THW Kiel teammate Nikola Bilyk, Samir Bellahcene's dream debut tournament continues. 

There's another Kiel player up next as Rune Dahmke's Germany play Hungary.

19:45

France became the first side to win 70 EHF EURO matches with that victory, as EHF journalist Adrian Costeiu reports in the match review. 

19:32 | FULL-TIME

France 33:28 Austria

Austria ran out of solutions to the French defence towards the end of the match, but it was a brave, brave effort by the underdogs. The Olympic champions secure their place in the semi-finals. 

Samir Bellahcene had the best day in goal, making 15 saves (36 per cent), helped significantly by that French defence. Ludovic Fabregas and Dika Mem both net seven times, but Fabregas with his 100% accuracy is voted as the Player of the Match, sponsored as ever by Grundfos. 

Oh, and Nikola Karabatic is now five goals away from scoring 300 at the EHF EURO during his career.

19:29

Another save by Samir Bellahcene and this is over - France will progress, they have a minute to play.

19:24

Samir Bellahcene is making saves as Austria are being forced to shoot in a hurry or from long-distance, thanks to the French defence holding up every attempt. The Austrian defence isn't as effective, and Nikola Karabatic's second goal makes it a 30:26 game. 

19:21

Ludovic Fabregas collides with Lukas Hutecek as the latter jumps to shoot, and falls, requiring a bit of attention. He's now having his ear looked at. 

In attack, France lose the ball and give Austria the chance to make it a one-goal game. France lead 28:26 with under eight minutes to play.

19:15

France cannot open up a decisive lead. It's still one or two goals, with Austria hanging in there, and still playing seven-on-six.

19:10

Austria, still playing seven-on-six, equalise - but a 3:0 run then puts France ahead again at 25:22. Voting for the Grundfos Player of the Match is now open, by the way.

Ralf Häusle boosted Austrian hopes with a good penalty save, after this happened earlier:

19:03

France open up a two-goal lead. Their defence has strengthened and Austria cannot get past it despite playing seven-on-six. Samir Bellahcene saves a Nikola Bilyk shot and Dylan Nahi scores into the empty net, and it's 21:18. Lukas Hutecek closes back to 21:19, but the window is there for France to establish a real advantage now.

18:55

France open the half as Ludovic Fabregas equalises. Austria start again with their key quartet all on court.

18:48

Nikola Bilyk is one of the few Austrians who plays outside Austria - and alongside Sebastian Frimmel, the only one who plays in the Machineseeker EHF Champions League - and he's again playing a central role for his team. While Frimmel and Rober Weber have been rested more this game, Bilyk and Lukas Hutecek have spent almost every moment on court. What are their energy levels like for the second half?

18:40 | HALF-TIME

France 15:16 Austria

Austria, despite finally resting some of their key players, are continuing to put the pressure on France and a well-taken timeout just before the break levelled the match again at 15:15 and then, after Ralf Häusle saved, line player Lukas Schweighofer puts Austria up again. Guillaume Gille calls a timeout of his own and in the remaining nine seconds of the half Austria defend furiously and force a direct free throw to finish the first 30 minutes of the game.  

It's a proper team effort from both sides, although Nédim Rémili for France and Nikola Bilyk for Austria are leading the way - Rémili scoring two and assisting six goals, Bilyk scoring four and assisting six too.

EHF journalist Adrian Costeiu is enjoying the match:

18:33

With just under two minutes of the half to go, Ales Pajovic calls his first timeout. France lead 15:13.

18:28

Dika Mem can always be relied on to deliver some superb shots and be among his side's top scorers.

18:23

Austria have managed to keep up with France well, playing some of their less experienced players - Jakob Nigg is currently on in right wing for Robert Weber, for instance, although Weber pops back on court to score a penalty against Samir Bellahcene and make the score 12:11 to France. France are able to rotate on much more experienced players, with Elohim Prandi taking the place of Nikola Karabatic right now.

18:20

France are starting to get their noses in front with Samir Bellahcene finding the saves, and a couple of suspensions of key Austrian players. But it's been a close start to the game. 

18:14

The crowd are behind France - Austria winning doesn't help German chances of progression, whereas a France win would. Not that that seems to bother Austria particularly. It's now level at 8:8, after Ralf Häusle made a penalty save against Hugo Descat, followed by another goal apiece.

18:09

Despite a couple of excellent saves from Constantin Möstl, France are starting to find their feet in attack against a good Austrian defence - but Austria still lead by two after 10 minutes. 

18:04

A truly confident start from Austria, who lead 4:1 after four minutes. They're testing out the French defence and managing it well so far. 

18:00

France, in white, and Austria, in red, take to the court. Austria attack first as Tobias Wagner throws off. 

Samir Bellahcene and Constantin Möstl are the duo in goal.

17:45

Fan songs played, it's almost time for the next game.

Austria have beaten France only once in a competitive match - 20:19 in an Olympic Games qualifier in 1972. At the EHF EURO 2018 in Croatia, France defeated Austria 33:26. 

Let's keep an eye on Nikola Karabatic's scoring tonight; he's eight goals from becoming the first male player to net 300 EHF EURO goals. He might not get there this evening, but he may well do on Wednesday in the last main round game.

France vs Austria: statistics and the team sheet here!

17:25

France and Austria are next, and it will be fascinating to see what Austria can do against the Olympic champions. All the cards are stacked in France's favour - they have more experienced players, and many more of them, so their key men have played far fewer minutes than Austria's so far. But Austria are riding a wave of positivity and have already exceeded expectations, so ...

France are currently playing some sort of tag game - or that's what it looks like - in the warm-up. It looks pretty fun. 

17:16

Not only was that Iceland's first win of the main round, it's also the first time they've beaten Croatia in the final tournament after getting very close several times. 

EHF journalist Adrian Costeiu has more in the match review.

17:05 | FULL-TIME

Croatia 30:35 Iceland

That's it - Iceland take their first points of the main round and crush Croatia's hopes of progressing to the semi-finals. They weathered the early Croatian storm well, shrugging off the red card to Ýmir Gíslason and Gisli Kristjansson's injury, and getting their attack finally in gear. 

A crucial part of the picture was goalkeeper Björgvin Pall Gustavsson, who made 12 saves (35 per cent) and scored a goal to boot. He's Grundfos Player of the Match.

Bjarki Mar Elisson is the top scorer with eight goals from 11 shots. It was also good to see Domagoj Duvnjak scoring again, netting four from four, although he played only a small role in the closing stages of the match.

17:00

Croatia have managed to get a couple of shots past Björgvin Pall Gustavsson as Iceland's defence weakens somewhat, but time is running out now for the 2020 silver medallists as Iceland maintain a five or six-goal lead well into the last three minutes. 

16:55

Iceland now have a five-goal lead over Croatia, who also have two players suspended at once. It is not going Croatia's way at all - Iceland are scoring easily now and look more confident with every shot and every Bjöggi save. 

16:50

Croatia lose the ball after a prolonged period in attack and Bjarki Mar Elisson scores a fast break. Goran Perkovac wastes no time in calling a timeout as Iceland lead 28:25 now, with just over 10 minutes to play.

16:47

The big block of Icelandic fans are chanting "Áfram Ísland" as Haukur Thrastarson wins the ball from Croatia - but then Iceland lose it again and Marin Jelinic equalises at 24:24. Iceland then score pretty quickly.

Fatigue is showing as the pace has slowed by both teams, and neither seem to be able to establish a decisive lead. Iceland just have the upper hand at the moment. 

Voting is open for the Grundfos Player of the Match.

16:38

Aron Pálmarsson has been perfect today until he misses his seventh shot, a poor effort which sails into Dominik Kuzmanovic's hands. Croatia are level again after a timeout and a period of better defending.

16:32

Iceland are back on terms and then go ahead as Björgvin Pall Gustavsson adds an empty net shot to his seven saves, one second before Croatia are back to full strength following Veron Nacinovic's second suspension.

16:26

The break is over.

Croatia have to win this game to stay alive in the race for the semi-finals. Iceland are out, but that won't stop them continuing to fight for victory.

16:14 | HALF-TIME

Croatia 18:16 Iceland

Credit has to be given to Iceland for steadying themselves after Croatia, once again, raced out to an early big lead. Croatia have been a little stronger throughout and take a two-goal lead to the break, but with the number of momentum swings so far it's anyone's game.

Aron Pálmarsson just leads the scoring with four goals from four shots; Dominik Kuzmanovic has a better save efficiency (40 per cent) but Björgvin Pall Gustavsson has made one more save (five, over four for Kuzmanovic).

Here's EHF journalist Adrian Costeiu with more:

In the space of 69 seconds, Iceland lost defensive stalwart Ýmir Gíslason, who was sent off, and centre back Gisli Kristjansson, who had scored three goals and went off hobbling with an ankle injury after a breakthrough which saw Iceland cut the gap on the scoreboard. For a team whose morale was already down, after being eliminated, this might have been a heavy blow.

But Iceland never gave up. From a three-goal deficit, they opened up a two-goal lead, in a match full of twists and turns, with a high-paced tempo, which saw 34 goals scored in the first half, and this is only because goalkeeper Dominik Kuzmanovic, who was subbed in by Croatia after 14 minutes, saved four shots for a 40 per cent saving efficiency. And it was Kuzmanovic who spurred this Croatia 5:1 run to end the first half, which enables them to dream about their maiden win in the main round.

16:07

Croatia's turn to have the momentum, after Dominik Kuzmanovic makes another save - but then so does Björgvin Pall Gustavsson. It's 16:15 to Croatia.

16:01

Iceland briefly had a two-goal lead. Both goalkeepers have now made three saves in this finely balanced game.

15:57

Iceland started out by switching Aron Pálmarsson and Gisli Kristjansson at centre back, but Kristjansson has spent some time being looked after by a team physio and has just headed off court.

Croatia have now switched Matej Mandic for Dominik Kuzmanovic, and there are more saves happening at both ends. With 20 minutes played, the game is level at 12:12.

15:50

As often happens after a red card, Iceland seem to have found some resolve and the gap has closed - to 11:10. It's a much closer game than it was some six or seven minutes ago, also in terms of the way the teams are playing.

15:44

Iceland lose line player Ýmir Gíslason; defending against Zvonimir Srna he hits Srna in the face, and after a brief video review receives a direct red card. Björgvin Pall Gustavsson follows up with a save, after recently replacing Viktor Hallgrímsson between the posts. 

Croatia now lead by three goals.

15:38

Croatia have been very solid throughout the opening minutes, defending well and wasting little time in scoring. They have an 8:4 lead. Iceland have made several mistakes at both ends of the court; expect a timeout fairly soon ...

15:33

Iceland's first attack is not great, with Aron Pálmarsson losing the ball, but Croatia's first attack is also poor and ends with a technical fault by Veron Nacinovic. And then the goals start coming with four inside a minute - all square at 2:2.

15:30

The buzzer goes, and Iceland throw off.

Croatia are starting with Domagoj Duvnjak among the defence.

15:20

Warm-up completed, the teams will enter the court soon. The squad lists are here: Croatia vs Iceland.

Good news for Croatian fans - captain Domagoj Duvnjak is back on the team sheet for today, after missing two games through illness. How much he'll be able to play will of course be seen over the next 90 minutes or so. But his presence on the bench could still provide a boost to the rest of the team.

15:10

We're live on Twitch for the afternoon's EHF EURO live show, presented by Trivago!

15:00

Hello from the LANXESS arena, which is nicely busy for a Monday afternoon. Iceland and Croatia are warming up ahead of a game which Croatia must win to keep any hope of the semi-finals alive.

14:20

Placement is everything in an Olympic year, and so teams out of the running for the semi-finals are continuing to battle for every goal in the hope of making it to the qualification tournament for Paris 2024, as well as qualification for the 2025 IHF Men's World Championship.

The pathway is revealed in our helpful article.

13:53

Iceland have announced their team for their game against Croatia - they are missing Janus Smarason and Ómar Ingi Magnusson through illness. 

13:25

Time for the stat of the day: expect a fast game between France and Austria this evening. France waste no time scoring, and their defence means they regain possession too.

12:45

Some are former star players, other have sharpened their skills elsewhere, but all teams at the Men's EHF EURO 2024 are led by top-level head coaches. So, what about the next generation, the top-level coaches for the future?

Now a decade-long tradition, the EHF has been staging a module of its Master Coach Course during EHF EUROs since 2014. EHF journalist Danijela Vekić took a look at this year's edition for this feature.

12:00

Speaking of Hungary, they have recovered well from their surprise defeat against Austria by beating Croatia last Saturday and keeping their semi-final hopes intact. A remarkable appearance in the Hungarian team is goalkeeper László Bartucz, who is back at the top level after no fewer than eight surgeries: six on the knees, two on the back.

Bartucz has a tattoo on his right arm saying: “You are invincible as long as you don’t give up.” No wonder it means the world to him, as he explains to EHF journalist Kevin Domas in this feature.

11:30

Germany left it late to get one point from their previous match, against Austria, when they had to make up a five-goal deficit in the nail-biting closing minutes in front of their home crowd in Cologne. Now under pressure to close in on that coveted semi-final spot, the hosts hope they will by flying to two points against Hungary tonight (live on EHFTV from 20:30 CET):

11:00

What are the key trends at the Men's EHF EURO 2024?

Of course, it's still too early to answer that question as we just enter the final week. But the EHF, always focusing on further developing the game, has already been yielding excellent bits and pieces about the trends leading the sport.

As the data mined from the matches played so far at the Men’s EHF EURO 2024 is vast, the EHF expert group is already working on the qualitative analysis of the competition. The full analysis will be available after the tournament’s conclusion, with every piece of data taken into consideration for a better understanding of the game.

Want a first glimpse of the findings? Read this piece by EHF journalist Adrian Costeiu.

10:30

Every EHF EURO tells its fairy-tale stories. This time, Austria are one of the surprises of the tournament as their journey through Germany has left them unbeaten so far. Draws against higher-ranked teams like Croatia, Spain, and the host nation, plus a win over Hungary, have kept their semi-final dream alive ahead of tonight's match against France.

No wonder Austria goalkeeper Constantin Möstl feels like he is "the main character in a crazy dream" as he tells EHF journalist Kevin Domas in this feature:

10:00

It's day six of the Men's EHF EURO 2024 main round, and day three in Cologne, where the LANXESS arena will again play host to three crucial matches. Unbeaten sides France and Austria meet in the 18:00 CET game today and a win for France would see them safely through to the final weekend, but Austria have shown they are not afraid of anyone - will the Olympic champions finally be their undoing?

Read the day preview for more.