Croatia and Poland seal top spot in their groups (2nd Lead)

Jan 28, 2007, 18:47 GMT

Croat Igor Vori scores during the handball match Spain vs Croatia in Mannheim, Germany, Sunday, 28 January 2007. Croatia won the main round match 29-28. EPA/Uli Deck

Hamburg - Olympic champions Croatia maintained their unbeaten record at the Handball World Championships Sunday with a hard-fought 29-28 win over defending champions Spain to finish top of Group 1.

Meanwhile in Group 2, Poland pipped hosts Germany to the top spot and a more favourable quarter-final opponent with a 38-27 victory over Slovenia.

Germany defeated Iceland 33-28 to sit level on eight points with the Poles, who finish top of the group courtesy of their victory over the Germans in the preliminary round.

'No one expected us to be so far in front,' said Poland coach Bogdan Wenta. 'My team stood right back up after the defeat against France and we are getting stronger day by day.'

Marcin Lijewski was top scorer for the Poles who have now won six out of six at the Ostwestfalen arena.

France play Tunisia in the late game and are guaranteed a place in the last eight regardless of the result following Slovenia's defeat.

Germany celebrated their fourth win in succession in Dortmund as rising star Michael Kraus and goalkeeper Henning Fritz helped the hosts to victory over Iceland.

Missing captain Markus Baur, who picked up a calf injury against France, Germany dominated the match played in front of 12,000 fans at the sold-out Westfalenhalle arena.

Pascal Hens scored six, while Dominik Klein netted five as did Baur's replacement Kraus. Iceland lost Asgeir Hallgrimsson to a red card on 36 minutes for three time violations. Iceland have also already qualified for the quarter-finals although they will now face a much tougher opponent.

Igor Vori was top scorer for Croatia in the sold-out SAP Arena in Mannheim, weighing in with seven goals to secure top spot in Group 2 for the Balkan nation.

Juan Garcia, Roberto Garcia and Iker Romero were top scorers for Spain with six goals apiece. Croatia now have a perfect 10 points from five matches followed by Spain on six.