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Iceland won all four duels so far

Considering the lineups remained almost intact since last year, those matches are a good measure. This could easily be the key duel in the fight for the semis

By winning the first two games, Spain and Iceland got to the second round before the last round already. That doesn't mean that this match means nothing, quite the opposite. The points will be taken to the new group in the main round. Since France will probably be untouchable, and Serbia/Poland/Switzerland, whoever ends up being their opponent from the A group, are going to be worse in comparison to Iceland and Spain, this could easily be the key match for the semifinal spot.

After the Spaniards have beaten Slovenia after a big fight at the beginning of the tournament, their job was much easier against Russia. They shot a series for 17-12 by the end of the first half, and they solved everything quickly in the second half. They increased the advantage to the final 34-23, and except the last year's 47 against Venezuela, these 34 are the most this Spanish generation has scored in a big competition.

A test awaiting them today is going to be completely different. Iceland are Spain's black cat, having beaten them in all four duels in the last two years - twice at the WC last year (group and semis), and easily in the qualifying game in Switzerland by the end of June this year. Spain never scored over 24 goals in those three duels, and the only way they have a chance here is with a rock solid defense.

Just like Spain, Iceland came to Denmark with the lineup almost the same as the one that won bronze in Russia last summer. That alone makes them one of the favorites for a medal. After a tough start and a humble game against Russia, where only the final points won can be remembered, Iceland played better against Slovenia and got a valuable success.

They were talking about having to play better defense than against Russia before they played Slovenia. They did it, reducing Slovenia to only 19 goals.

- The defense was the biggest difference compared to the first two games, we have to go on the same way on Sunday - Benediktsson said.

That only confirmed that Iceland are definitely capable of responding to the opponent's roughness, and this was also a revenge to Slovenia for losing to them in the WC semifinal last year, even though they were playing without the important Egil Magnusson.

- He's coming back slowly after the injury, the tournament is long and that's what we've decided. We knew before the tournament that we might not be using him in all the games, he's good now.

There hasn't been any news regarding Egil being in the lineup today. Spain will be a new challenge, but Iceland are definitely feeling confident thanks to the fact that they've beaten Spain in all their previous duels. They are the favorites today, and rightfully so, but the Spaniards will definitely feel motivated to get even for all those defeats, and they definitely shouldn't be written off.

Even though Spain and Iceland secure the next phase, this match is crucial for both teams, probably for the semis. French can hardly be beaten in their current state, and whoever becomes the next opponent out of Serbia/Switzerland/Poland, both Spain and Iceland will be the favorites, and they're not likely to make a blunder. Also, these two teams played each other four times, and besides the European Open, the beginning was rough in each duel. I think that the matches from the WC in Russia are more relevant, when Iceland played at about 60 goals against everyone else (Germany, Norway, Egypt, Brazil, Korea, Slovenia), and played two at 49 and 48 against Spain, with 12-11 and 12-9 after the first halves. Spain went over 23 in the first half only against the weak Venezuela and the powerful France then. Even recently, in the qualifier in Switzerland, the first half ended at 12-11, and then Iceland solved things in the second. What I expect today is that they'll play similarly to how they both played against the Slovenians in the first half (Spain 9-10, Iceland 10-7), and considering how important this match is, I doubt that this will go over 25 goals.