Belgium, Kosovo and Latvia are well placed to advance with big wins in the first leg on their home court, while Cyprus, Great Britain and Luxembourg will each have a mountain to climb in the second leg this weekend. Ta.
- Belgium defeated Cyprus 30-18 for their biggest victory of the round. Yerime Sylla’s team, who competed in the 2023 IHF Men’s World Championship, are aiming for their first appearance at the EHF EURO
- Left winger Yannick Glorieux, who scored 24 goals in EHF EURO 2024 qualifying, was Belgium’s top scorer with seven goals in the win over Cyprus.The second leg will be played at Ngomi Nicosia on Saturday.
- Great Britain, winners of qualifying phase 1, collapsed in the second half of the match against Kosovo, winning with 30:22 after the hosts led 13:11 at the break.
- Valon Dedaj scored 11 goals for Kosovo and put in some great performances, making him a favorite to advance to the second leg in Derby on Saturday.
- Goalkeeper Edgar Kuska made 14 saves for a save efficiency of 36%, and left winger Ricard Jusups scored eight goals for Latvia, which overcame a slow start to beat Luxembourg 32-25.
- Luxembourg host Latvia in the second leg on Sunday, looking for the biggest upset in history at this stage of the competition.
Photo © Alain Decamps, W Vanborn, Dace Aihvald, Kosovo Handball Federation