Match Preview
Hungary had less than 20 hours of rest following an exhausting clash against Sweden and enter this match without motivation after being eliminated. Croatia, on the other hand, are playing for a place in the semifinals, so I am backing the Cowboys to win and cover a –2.5 handicap.
Croatia Closing in on a Semifinal Spot
Croatia are on a strong path toward securing a place in the European Championship 2026 semifinals, entering this final round as Group 2 leaders with a record of three wins and one defeat.
Their situation initially looked difficult after starting the second phase with zero points following a 33-25 loss to Sweden in the group decider. However, the Cowboys responded perfectly in the Main Round with back-to-back victories over Iceland 30-29 and Switzerland 28-24, with Zvonimir Srna delivering exceptional performances.
Yesterday, Croatia controlled the game from start to finish against Slovenia, securing a deserved 29-25 victory. Tin Lucin stole the spotlight this time, finishing the match with seven goals.
Hungary Playing for Pride Only
Hungary’s motivation and team spirit are questionable ahead of this decisive clash, having lost their semifinal hopes earlier and failing to record a single win in the Main Round.
They managed to snatch a point in the opener against Switzerland despite trailing by six goals at half time, but then suffered a crucial 35-32 defeat to Slovenia due to poor second-half efficiency. Bence Imre delivered a solid performance in that match, scoring eight goals.
Playing without pressure, the Magyars came very close to beating heavily favored co-hosts Sweden, holding a one-goal lead entering the final minute before missing a game-winning shot. The match ultimately ended in a 32-32 draw.