Summary: Denmark and France to meet in EHF EURO 2024 finals

• the LANXESS arena hosts the placement match and semi-finals on Friday
• France take extra-time 34:30 win to end Sweden's title hopes
• Denmark beat Germany 29:26 to set up showdown between world and Olympic champions
• Hungary win placement match against Slovenia, 23:22
• read the day preview
• watch the EHF EURO live show, presented by Trivago, on Twitch from 15:00 CET
• download the Home of Handball app to make your match predictions, vote for Grundfos Player of the Match (45 minutes into each game), and the All-star Team
• follow the EHF EURO social media channels: X, Facebook and Instagram
• find out how to follow the tournament
• all photographs © Kolektiff Images

22:45

That's all from us tonight. Come back tomorrow morning, when we'll have coverage of the media calls with all four of the semi-final teams, and previews of the final and the bronze medal match.

22:30

If you haven't seen the highlights of the game between France and Sweden, then here they are - what a game. Somehow the first semi-final is always a thriller ...

Click here for our YouTube channel and the rest of the highlights of the whole tournament.

22:20

There's an important update to the earlier result tonight: the EHF confirms it has received a protest by the Swedish Handball Federation following the semi-final France vs Sweden at the Men's EHF EURO 2024. This protest is now being dealt with and any updates will be communicated accordingly.

22:18

Whew, what a night. EHF journalist Courtney Gahan reports on that historic win by Denmark, which leaves the hosts out of the trophy race but still means they can win a medal at their home EHF EURO.

22:05 | FULL-TIME

Germany 26:29 Denmark

Germany put up a really good fight, especially in the first half, but the introduction of Emil Nielsen between the posts and Nikolaj Jacobsen's decision to play seven-on-six really made a difference.

Top scorers are Renars Uscins, Mikkel Hansen and Simon Pytlick, all with five goals. Nielsen made eight saves (42 per cent), while Andy Wolff ended the day with 11 (29 per cent) and Niklas Landin five (25 per cent). Uscins, who stepped very capably into Kai Häfner's position, is voted as Grundfos Player of the Match.

22:02

With Niclas Kirkeløkke serving a two-minute suspension, Germany fight back a little - but Mikkel Hansen's six-metre rocket with 45 seconds left makes the score 29:26 to Denmark, and Germany really don't have time.

21:58

When they can Germany are still banging in the goals, but Denmark's lead of four goals now looks comfortable enough to take the win.

21:55

Germany win a penalty and Nils Lichtlein and Jannik Kohlbacher chest-bump in celebration, but it's a little early as Emil Nielsen saves Philipp Weber's shot. Denmark are back in attack, leading 26:22 with five minutes to play.

21:50

A moment's rest for Andy Wolff as David Späth comes on to take a Mikkel Hansen penalty - it is scored. Denmark lead 24:21 and more of Germany's efforts are going wide or being saved by Emil Nielsen. 

21:44

Voting for the Grundfos Player of the Match is now open.

The crowd are urged to shout louder, if that's possible, as Germany trail 18:21.

21:39

We're back into seven-on-six, although it's the backcourt doing most of the Danish attack with Hans Lindberg and Magnus Landin waiting patiently in the wings. 

Germany successfully fend off another Danish attack and Julian Köster puts them back to within one goal of the world champions. 

21:37

Having switched back to a regular six-on-six attack, Denmark are forced into a turnover through the German defence. 

Emil Nielsen, however, is having an impact - four saves in less than seven minutes on court. Denmark lead 19:17 now.

21:30

Seven-on-six is working for Denmark: they take a 16:15 lead.

21:26

Emil Nielsen started this half in goal but as Denmark concede a penalty - just after levelling the game - Niklas Landin comes back in to take it. Philipp Weber scores without difficulty, and it's 15:14 to Germany.

21:22

There are two excellent tactical minds in charge of this game, and it will be fascinating to see what Alfred Gislason and Nikolaj Jacobsen bring to the second half. 

Denmark resume with a seven-on-six attack featuring Magnus Landin, Magnus Saugstrup, Hans Lindberg, Mathias Gidsel, Mikkel Hansen, Simon Hald and Simon Pytlick.

21:15

While Emil Nielsen is casually batting away some balls in the break, Niklas Landin and Andy Wolff are both pacing the court. They exchange a few friendly words, and then part again to focus on the second halves to come. 

21:09 | HALF-TIME

Germany 14:12 Denmark

This isn't going to the script everyone had written, in which Denmark were the overwhelming favourites. Germany and their 19,000 supporters have brought fight and energy to the semi-final, and their defence is working marvels, as EHF journalist Courtney Gahan reports in her half-time assessment of the game:

"Germany have really brought a top performance in this first half. The defence in particular has been superb, and the evidence is how much they have quietened Mathias Gidsel. Germany have single-handedly reduced his average scoring efficiency quite dramatically in this period. Considering Gidsel missed only eight shots in the entire EURO before this match, the fact he has missed a total of four opportunities in this 30 minutes speaks volumes.

Andreas Wolff took some time to get his saving eyes in, but Germany still took the lead even without him stopping shots. Now, he is on his game and, while Denmark are still playing with the great form that brought them to this point, Germany are looking very good indeed."

21:05

Denmark go seven-on-six.

21:03

Germany are making Denmark run. Who has the most energy? Who rested their players more during the rest of the tourmament?

Germany lead 12:10 after Renars Uscins' fifth goal.

20:59

The stats showed before the game that Germany had one of the best defensive lines of the tournament, and that defensive line is throwing everything at Denmark. And now Andy Wolff is starting to make saves. 

20:55

Denmark have been behind from the off and Nikolaj Jacobsen calls his first timeout just before 20 minutes. 

20:51

In 2016 Andreas Wolff was the match-winner for Germany as they won the EHF EURO title. He is taking a while to warm up to today's game, but a couple of good saves will help.

However, we suggested earlier today that Mathias Gidsel could have the Wolff-factor for Denmark today, and it's Gidsel who scores into the empty German net to equalise at 8:8 with Sebastian Heymann serving a suspension. 

20:45

Two goals for Juri Knorr in the first 12 minutes; Germany lead 7:5.

20:41

The atmosphere is electric and the tempo high as Rune Dahmke, who has had a great start today, steals the ball. Niklas Landin saves the following attack, and he, like the rest of the Danish team, are starting to get into their rhythm against the wall of noise supporting Germany.

20:36

Renars Uscins has stepped into Kai Häfner's shoes in right back and he's one of three German players to score as they take a quick 3:1 lead over Denmark. 

20:30

The noise is deafening as Germany throw off in attack.

20:20

The second semi-final throws off in 10 minutes. Here's where to follow all the details as Germany try to get back to their first EHF EURO final since 2016, and Denmark to their first since 2014: Germany vs Denmark.

20:10

Denmark have announced their starting seven: Niklas Landin, Emil Jakobsen, Simon Pytlick, Rasmus Lauge, Mathias Gidsel, Niclas Kirkløkke and Magnus Saugstrup. 

Germany have announced that Kai Häfner has had to leave the team for personal reasons, and Timo Kastening is also missing. Renars Uscins and Lukas Zerbe get the nod for the game. 

19:53

The second semi-final begins at 20:30 CET - before then, don't miss the match review of a drama-filled first game. 

19:45 

Andreas Palicka is voted as Grundfos Player of the Match - without his 15 saves (31 per cent) Sweden wouldn't have even been in the position of leading into those intense closing minutes of full-time.

He goes down the line of French players and talks to most of them, giving Samir Bellahcene a hug, and there's one for Elohim Prandi too. That's sportsmanship.

19:42 | END OF EXTRA TIME 

France 34:30 Sweden

France found their rhythm and flow again in extra time and the immediate impact of Dylan Nahi in the first five minutes was what they needed to take the win and a chance to play for the European title for the first time in a decade.

19:39

With Sweden desperately trying to close up the widening gap, Felix Claar shoots - it looks as though Remi Desbonnet may have stopped it, but the referees go to video review to double-check. The goal is not given and France lead 32:28.

19:33 | France 30:28 Sweden

France, buoyed up by their last-second reprieve, have shot out to a big lead again with three goals scored by Dylan Nahi. Jim Gottfridsson scored Sweden's only goal of the first period of extra time.

Andreas Palicka trips up as Sweden take possession just before the buzzer, and seems to have hurt his ankle. Tobias Thulin does a very quick warm-up, but Palicka comes back on court.

19:27

Dylan Nahi, who has played very little so far and so has fresh legs, is the first to score in extra time and France regain the lead.

19:23

Right, we go into extra time. First off, two five-minute periods. 

19:21 | FULL-TIME

France 27:27 Sweden

Jim Gottfridsson almost made it a two-goal win inside the last 15 seconds, but he missed and France were awarded a direct free throw on the buzzer - which Elohim Prandi scored. 

We are into extra time!

19:17

Hugo Descat gets one back, but Sweden are taking their time to transition back to attack. They hold the cards while France are running out of time with 60 seconds left.

19:15

France earn a seventh penalty, and Andreas Palicka saves it again. That's his third penalty save against Hugo Descat in a row. With three minutes to play, Sweden lead 25:24.

19:10

Remi Desbonnet has come on as the French goalkeeper after a period with no saves for Samir Bellahcene. 

19:07

After a Swedish timeout, Felix Claar hammers in a 111 km/h rocket from the nine-metre line and Sweden have their first lead since the 5th minute at 23:22. 

19:03

This clip is the earlier penalty save, but Andreas Palicka has just done it again. His big-tournament experience is starting to show for Sweden.

19:00

The score in this half is 11:5 in Sweden's favour, as Felix Claar scores his seventh goal and equalises again at 22:22. The body language of the two teams has completely shifted as Sweden sense they have momentum. 

18:57

Sweden concede their fifth penalty, but Andreas Palicka saves Hugo Descat's shot - and then saves the rebound effort too, to a huge cheer from the crowd who are mostly supporting Sweden. 

Coming into the fourth quarter of the game, France lead 21:20 and you can now vote for the Grundfos Player of the Match.

18:53

Jonathan Carlsbogard equalised at 18:18, 39 minutes in, but France have dug in. Samir Bellahcene made his first save in a while and unanswered goals from Nedim Remili and Ludovic Fabregas have restored a three-goal lead for France. 

18:48

Sweden, defending well, have got back to within one goal with a 6:1 run since the restart. France takes a timeout, and during that time Jim Gottfridsson is talking intently to the Swedes. From French domination in the first half they are now under serious pressure. 

18:44

Two years ago in the semi-final, Sweden led by three goals at the break and by five at about this point in the second half. But France fought right back into the game and lost it at the very end when Ludovic Fabregas failed to score. So we can't discount a repeat, and so far it's going better for Sweden with Max Darj contributing a couple of fine goals and Andreas Palicka starting to make more saves. It's 18:15 after five minutes of the half.

18:38

The second half is throwing off now. Sweden return to their starting seven, Karl Konan and Valentin Porte join the French defence. 

18:31

Some of Felix Claar's 17 minutes on court - can he make a difference in the second half?

18:24 | HALF-TIME

France 17:11 Sweden

France were arguably favourites before today, having come into the game unbeaten, but they are dominating, forcing Sweden into mistakes and their defence helping Samir Bellahcene to shine. EHF journalist Courtney Gahan has more:

"A couple of key periods from individuals have made the difference in the first semi-final. Samir Bellahcene made a series of saves from around the ninth minute to the 13th, which helped keep Sweden out of France’s goal and enabled the Olympic champions to score an unanswered run of goals that opened a clear gap in their favour. Sweden changed their back court line-up, with Felix Claar and Lukas Sandell coming in for Jim Gottfridsson and Albin Lagergren — and Claar having a huge impact quickly.

With four goals in his first seven minutes on court, Claar spearheaded Sweden’s comeback into the game, but the period with no goals cost the defending champions and accounts for the difference we still see at the break. A decisive advantage for France, but handball and particularly this EHF EURO have shown us that the distance is far from insurmountable, especially in a semi-final."

18:20

Elohim Prandi jumps to shoot and as the ball leaves his hand, Guillaume Gille calls a timeout, so the shot does not count. Sweden then steal the ball and Hampus Wanne scores - 16:11 to France.  

18:17

Nedim Remili was voted as Grundfos Player of the Match in France's last main round game, and he's showing his worth again tonight. France lead 16:10.

18:11

Better from Sweden: they're back to within four goals of France, are starting to force some mistakes by their opponents, and are finding ways through the French defence. Felix Claar has been especially important in the last few minutes. 

18:06

France now lead 12:6 - they are scoring easily for the most part, with Hugo Descat on particularly good form. 

18:03

Glenn Solberg calls a timeout as France take a 9:4 lead. Sweden's shooting accuracy has not yet been at the level it needs to be to win an EHF EURO semi-final, especially with Samir Bellahcene doing a great job in goal.

17:58

Samir Bellahcene makes a big save and bounces back to the bench, with colleague Charles Bolzinger standing up in his seat in the stands to offer congratulations. Bellahcene's breakout tournament continues to go pretty well!

17:56

France lead 5:4 and are in attack, but have both Hugo Descat and Luka Karabatic sitting out suspensions. 

17:50

Sweden's defence has been excellent so far and they took the early lead, backed up by a couple of saves from Andreas Palicka. But a tenacious French attack means Ludovic Fabregas is able to level the game at 3:3.

17:44

Throw off is imminent!

France's starting seven are Samir Bellahcene, Nikola Karabatic, Nedim Remili, Dika Mem, Hugo Descat, Ludovic Fabregas and Yanis Lenne; Sweden's are Andreas Palicka, Hampus Wanne, Max Darj, Daniel Pettersson, Jonathan Carlsbogard, Jim Gottfridsson and Albin Lagergren.

17:35

The teams will be announced very, very soon! The stands are filling up and there's a lively atmosphere developing.

Follow every action on the match ticker: France vs Sweden

17:30

Both teams have all their star players available and named in the 16-man match-day squads. That leaves France's Charles Bolzinger, Timothey N'Guessan and Benoit Kounkoud, and Sweden's Jonathan Evardsson and Simon Möller in the stands.

Some goal-scoring milestones to watch for: five goals would make Nikola Karabatic the first man to score 300 EHF EURO goals. Kentin Mahé needs 11 and Hampus Wanne 13 to reach the 100-goal milestone.

Meanwhile, Jim Gottfridsson needs only one goal to break into the Swedish all-time top five EHF EURO scorers. He's currently at 106 goals in his career, behind Niclas Ekberg (107), Staffan Olsson (109) and Johan Petersson (111). Stefan Lövgren's record of 203 is some way off, however!

17:10

Right, we're into the semi-final build-up as the teams warm up on court. This match will feature two of the greats of the sport and we can't wait to see them go head-to-head once more at an EHF EURO.

16:55

As Sweden come on court to start their semi-final warm-up, take a moment to read about the milestones set in Hungary's fifth-place victory over Slovenia. 

16:50

Hungary are thrilled with that hard-fought victory and are still dancing around on the court and getting pictures, as Slovenia trail off for their last set of interviews by reporters. 

We're now less than an hour away from throwing off in the semi-finals.

16:45 | FULL-TIME

Hungary 23:22 Slovenia

A tense game had a tense last few minutes. Slovenia conceded another penalty - their eighth - with 90 seconds to go, and Bendegúz Bóka put it away. That gave Hungary a one-goal lead but Slovenia had possession. After a timeout for Uros Zorman's team, there was a bit of a scrap and Miha Zarabec's shot from nine metres ended in what turned out to be a match-winning save for László Bartucz; he thumped the court in joy. That's Hungary's best-ever EHF EURO finish.

Máté Lékai and Bence Bánhidi both scored five goals; Blaz Blagotinsek, Miha Zarabec and Aleks Vlah all netted four for Slovenia.

Grundfos Player of the Match is Klemen Ferlin, for 11 saves (32 per cent).

16:35

Bendegúz Bóka finally finds a way past Klemen Ferlin from the seven-metre line, and it's 22:22 with two and a half minutes left.  

16:31

Adrián Sipos's tournament ends five minutes early as he receives his third two-minute suspension, and so a red card. Aleks Vlah scores and gives Slovenia a 22:20 lead.

16:28

Uros Zorman calls a timeout. Slovenia just have the edge but it's so tight and even in many aspects. Slovenia's nine-metre shots have been terrible (one goal from 12 attempts), but they're perfect from six metres, and Klemen Ferlin's 11 saves have made the biggest difference. 

16:25

There's 10 minutes to play and the game is still level, so time for a reminder about what happens if there's a draw at the end of any of today's matches. In that event, one period of extra time - two halves of five minutes - is played. If the match is still tied, there is another 10 minutes of extra time. If it's still tied after that, we go to penalties.

16:18

Klemen Ferlin saves his fourth penalty shot of the afternoon, after Bence Imre stepped up following Máté Lékai's previous failures. 

We're into the fourth quarter and it's level at 17:17. Don't forget to vote for your Grundfos Player of the Match!

16:10

We had a pause while a technical issue with the scoreboard was fixed, and after the restart Slovenia pulled ahead by two goals, with saves and missed shots counting against Hungary. 

15:58

Klemen Ferlin has got Máté Lékai figured out, and makes a second penalty save against the Hungarian to start the half off well for Slovenia. It's Ferlin's seventh save today and his 69th of an excellent tournament.

15:52

Don't forget we're live on Twitch with our all-star team watching along and analysing every game today.

15:43 | HALF-TIME

Hungary 12:13 Slovenia

The battle for fifth place is really tight and there's not much between two teams who have had tough tournaments. The referees have done two video replays to find out if the ball crossed the line, once at either end, with the second of those giving Slovenia the lead they take into the break.

We have several All-star Team nominees on court, and they are showing why they are nominated: Slovenian left back Borut Mackovsek has scored once, but made three assists; centre back Aleks Vlah has been extremely active, although several of his efforts have been blocked; and right wing Gasper Marguc has been on court throughout. Meanwhile, Hungarian right back Gábor Anscin has played just 10 minutes so far, but made three attempts on goal in that time; line player Bence Bánhidi continues his excellent tournament with three goals out of five shots; and defender Adrián Sipos has added one more steal and one more block to his tally.

15:33

The score remains stubbornly low with good defending by both teams - just 10:10 now, with only about five minutes of the half remaining.

15:24

After five minutes with no goals, Miha Zarabec makes it 8:8, and then Hungarian centre back Gergö Fazekas adds Hungary's ninth. The deadlock is broken.

László Bartucz is slowly finding the way to stop Slovenia and is leading Klemen Ferlin in the goalkeeper battle.

15:17

It's quite a slow match at the moment, with the occasional flurry of movement to end the attacks. Hungary have an 8:7 lead after László Bartucz's third save. 

15:09

After just over eight minutes Bence Bánhidi equalises and it's 5:5. Slovenia had the better start, with a couple of quick moves giving them an advantage, but Hungary capitalised on some mistakes to get back on terms. 

15:03

Slovenian line player Blaz Blagotinsek has missed the last three matches through illness, but is back today and scored the first goal for his side. Captain Jure Dolenec was next to find the net, scoring his 100th EHF EURO goal in his career. 

14:50

Players missing this game include goalkeepers Kristóf Palacsics, who is recovering from appendicitis, and Urban Lesjak, as well as Dominik Mathe and Slovenian wing Kristjan Horzen.

Find the full squads here: Hungary vs Slovenia

14:40

Hungary and Slovenia are preparing to play for fifth place. It's their sixth EHF EURO match, with Slovenia having won just one previously.

Hungary have already equalled their best-ever EHF EURO performance, as they were sixth in 1998; Slovenia were fourth in 2020. 

14:00

Denmark have posted a video of their last training session in the arena before their game tonight - they seem in good spirits.

13:50

The second semi-final today will be a clash between the best attack in the tournament - Denmark - against the best defence in the tournament - Germany. What can the Germans do to stop Denmark scoring? We find out at 20:30 CET!

13:00

Sweden will play in yellow tonight and their jerseys are ready for the players to wear.

12:20

France are ready for the semi-final!

12:00

Referees Lars Jorum and Havard Kleven wore microphones during the main round clash between France and Croatia, to show how they interact with players and coaches in some of the key moments of the game. Well worth five minutes of your time. 

11:40

Mathias Gidsel is already acknowledged as one of the world's best players, but will he be the one to lead Denmark to the EHF EURO 2024 final? In this piece, EHF journalist Courtney Gahan analyses his importance for the world champions, and draws parallels with the match-winning performance of Andreas Wolff for Germany back in 2016 when they won their first title in 12 years. 

11:15

France and Sweden, who play the first semi-final today, are old rivals - in fact, they keep meeting in the semi-finals of major events. Since the 2021 IHF Men's World Championship the score is two to Sweden, one to France, and the loss in Stockholm last year is weighing on Swedish minds. 

EHF journalist Kevin Domas takes a look at the rivalry and what players and coaches are thinking about ahead of today's match.

10:50

Have you made your All-star Team votes yet? Click here to vote - you have until midnight tomorrow.

10:30

The referee nominations for the final weekend have been confirmed - click here to see who's whistling which matches. Spanish duo Andreu Marín and Ignacio Garcia will referee the final.

10:00

Welcome to the live blog for semi-finals day at the Men's EHF EURO 2024! It's always one of the best days of any championship and we can't wait for this afternoon's games. 

Things throw off with the 5/6 placement match between Hungary and Slovenia at 15:00 CET, followed by the two semi-finals at 17:45 CET and 20:30 CET. See the day preview for all the key facts about the clashes.