Denmark squeezed to victory against Serbia in Belgrade on Sunday, securing the European handball championships for the second time in three attempts. The final took place in front of roughly 20,000 fans, with Denmark winning 21-19. As European champions, the Danes have also booked their place at the Olympic Games in London this summer.

But the Serb fans could celebrate a milestone even in defeat. The runner-up spot in the European Championship represents their best handballing result at a major competition since the former Yugoslavia won the handball world championship in 1986. Some Serbs with a passion for tennis might also have taken solace in Novak Djokovic's triumph over Rafael Nadal in the Australian open earlier on Sunday.

Denmark raced into an 8-5 lead early on in the final and never really looked in danger despite a spirited effort to keep in touch.

Olympic gold?

As the second-placed side, Serbia also qualifies for the Olympics.

In the third place playoff, also played on Sunday, Croatia defeated Spain 31-27.

Germany finished the tournament a lowly seventh, a disappointment for a country with a strong domestic league and a history of international success. The team's elimination from the second group phase also kicked the German starts out of the running for Olympic medals in London. Germany's last game in the tournament, a do or die affair, ended in a narrow 33-32 defeat at the hands of Poland.

The tournament was overshadowed though by Serbian nationalist violence. Last Tuesday, a group of around 50 Serb hooligans attacked some Croat fans. The Croat players also endured some boos and jeers in their third place playoff victory over Spain on Sunday.

Author: Mark Hallam (dapd, dpa)
Editor: Nicole Goebel