Are the Icelanders doing their homework?
The dream of the semi-finals is alive. On Wednesday, the MVM Dome in Budapest will host the big showdown in the main round Group I. World champions Denmark are already safely in the semifinals, but behind them there are still two teams fighting for the second slot in the medal round. Surprisingly, the Icelanders are still in the draw, even if it is out of their own hands.
Denmark lead the table of this group with 8:0 points. The Vikings will surely occupy one of the first two places. Olympic champions France are in second position with 6:2 points. Les Bleus, however, could still be caught by Iceland, who are in waiting position with 4:4 points. Croatia, Montenegro and Holland have no chance of reaching the semi-finals.
Iceland must go ahead at 15:30 and can only hope to catch the French with a win of their own over Montenegro. France, however, would then have to lose to Denmark in the top match in the evening, which should be quite possible. In that case, the direct comparison with Les Bleus would be in favour of the islanders. Therefore, before the kick-off between Montenegro and Iceland, one can still make the prediction that the Icelanders will make it into the semi-finals.
It is clear that Gudmundur Gudmundsson’s team will put all their eggs in one basket and will be desperate to get the two points against the Montenegrins. In this case, all fingers will be crossed for the Danes afterwards, and we hope that they will not let themselves down.
Montenegro – Statistics & current form
The Montenegrins were one of the positive surprises at the European Handball Championship. Actually, it was expected that Zoran Roganovic’s team would have to give up in the preliminary round. But after the expected defeat against Denmark, this team surpassed itself and reached the main round after victories over Northern Macedonia and Slovenia. Never before has Montenegro done better at a European Championship.
Better than expected
In the main round, the team from the Balkans was regarded as cannon fodder, but after the victory over their neighbours from Croatia, they even dreamed of reaching the semi-finals. In the meantime, the Montenegrins have come back down to earth, because in the last two games they suffered quite clear defeats against Holland and France.
Nevertheless, a win against the Icelanders could still be enough for third place in this group, which would extend their stay in Budapest because the match for fifth place will still be played. We therefore assume that Zoran Roganovic’s team will try everything once again and can imagine playing the odds on a positive handicap (+3.5) for the Montenegrins between Montenegro and Iceland.
That would mean that the Icelanders will at least still win high. Montenegro has been spared the very serious virus outbreaks that other teams have experienced. On Wednesday, however, at least two players, Milos Bozovic and Stevan Vujovic, will be missing. The exact diagnosis, however, will only be made after a detailed medical examination.
The Montenegro squad:
Goal: Matovic, Mijuskovic, Braunovic
Back: Glendza, Cepic, Kaluderovic, Andelic, Simic, Nikolic, Dragasevic, S. Vujovic, Sevaljevic, Bozovic, B. Vujovic, Vukicevic
Left wing: F. Vujovic, Abramovic
Right wing: M. Radovic, Cejovic, Vukic
Circle: Lazovic, Simovic, L. Vujovic, Corsovic, Grbovic
Coach: Roganovic
Last matches played by Montenegro:
European Championships Main Round Grp. 1
01/24 2022 – Montenegro 27 – 36 France
01/22 2022 – Montenegro 30 – 34 Netherlands
01/20 2022 – Montenegro 32 – 26 Croatia
European Championships Preliminary Round Grp. A
01/17 2022 – Montenegro 33 – 32 Slovenia
01/15 2022 – North Macedonia 24 – 28 Montenegro
Island – Statistics & current form
Iceland were also not necessarily to be reckoned with at the European Handball Championship. For a good ten years, the Northern Europeans have not achieved much at major tournaments. However, this team has an incredible mentality, which is why you should never write them off, because Gudmundur Gudmundsson’s team has outstanding qualities in several positions.
Grand victory against France
Despite this, it was surprising that Iceland performed very confidently in the preliminary round. The victories against Portugal and Holland were still within the realm of the expected. But with the victory over Hungary, the islanders eliminated the hosts early. In the main round, they then suffered a narrow defeat against world champions Denmark.
The masterpiece was to follow just two days later, however, when they swept Olympic champions France 29:21 from the arena. This victory could still be very important for the direct comparison. The Icelanders would already be in the semi-finals if they had not suffered an unnecessary 22:23 defeat against Croatia on Monday. Seconds before the end, Iceland had the chance to score the winning goal, but conceded the goal on the counterattack to go down.
Gudmundur Gudmundsson has had to cope with numerous absentees. At least seven players, including top star Aron Palmarsson, are still in isolation at kick-off.
The Iceland squad:
Goal: Gustavsson, Hallgrimsson, Björgvinsson
Back: Smarason, Jonsson, G. Kristjansson, Palmarsson, O. Gudmundsson, Ingason, Asgeirsson, V. Kristjansson, Magnusson, K. Kristjansson, Einarsson
Left wing: Elisson, Borkelsson
Right wing: Gudjonsson
Circle: Gislason, Vidarsson, Arnarsson
Coach: G. Gudmundsson
Last matches of Iceland:
European Championships Main Round Grp. 1
01/24 2022 – Iceland 22 – 23 Croatia
01/22 2022 – France 21 – 29 Iceland
01/20 2022 – Denmark 28 – 24 Iceland
European Championships Preliminary Round Grp. B
01/18 2022 – Iceland 31 – 30 Hungary
01/16 2022 – Iceland 29 – 28 Netherlands
Montenegro – Iceland Direct comparison / H2H balance
Montenegro vs Iceland, this is not a pairing that is particularly common to marvel at in European handball. The reason for this is that both are usually in the same pot in qualifiers or finals and therefore cannot be drawn against each other. That is why there have only been two duels between the two teams to date.
These two encounters took place in the qualifiers for Euro 2016. The home side won the first leg in Montenegro by a narrow 25-24 margin, but the islanders then returned the favour in June 2015. Iceland won 34:22 in their own hall, which means that the direct comparison between these two nations is even.
Montenegro – Iceland tip
Montenegro have really presented themselves very well at this European Championship. The icing on the cake would now be the match for fifth place. But that would require a win on Wednesday. But the Montenegrins have already had the best European Championship finals in their history. The various betting companies do not believe that they can go any higher.
Iceland absolutely need a win to at least be able to hope for the semi-finals. Judging by their performances so far, this should definitely be possible on Wednesday, despite numerous absences. A bet on a win for the northern Europeans is probably a good choice between Montenegro and Iceland, even though we can imagine that it will be tight.
Zoran Roganovic’s team will give everything once again and try to go beyond themselves. That’s why we’re expecting a close match that might only be decided in the final phase. We therefore offer betting odds on a handicap win (+3.5) for the Montenegrins between Montenegro and Iceland
