Norway vs Slovenia Prediction & Betting Tips - Euro Handball

Prediction published on 13/01/2024, 16:15  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 13/01/2024 at 17:16 in Euro Handball Predictions

Norway are second in preliminary round Group D and take on Slovenia who are in top place with one game to go. Norway are a point behind their opponents and two clear of third placed Faroe Islands. The Norwegians began this group by beating Poland (currently bottom and eliminated) 32-21. They led that game by five points at half time and extended their lead in the second half. Saturday saw them up against Faroe Islands and gave away a lead to draw the match 26-26. Norway are yet to reach the final of this tournament and ended in third place in 2020 and fifth in 2022. Their form was strong in the run-up to these European Championships and have now won 15 of their last 19 matches with only one loss in their last six.

Slovenia come into this game having won both of their matches in Group D and have already confirmed their place in the main round. Teams carry forward points earned against other qualiied teams so they'll be keen to win this match. They began this group with a 32-29 win over Faroe Islands. It was all square at the break but Slovenia drew away in the second half to get the win. That was followed on Saturday by a 32-25 win over Poland. They put in a great first half performance and went into the break six goals ahead and went on to win by a margin of seven. Slovenia lost in the preliminary round in the last European Championships but reached the semi-finals four years ago and were finalists in 2004. Only one of their last eight games has been lost, a loss to Croatia in a friendly on January 6. This could be a close match but we think Norway can edge a victory.