Following their defeat against Croatia last time out, there was a feeling amongst the Iceland contingent her in Zagreb that their 2025 IHF Men’s World Championship campaign was at an end, despite there still being a mathematical chance they could continue.

With this 30:21 win over Argentina, they are still in contention, but need favours from Cape Verde or Slovenia in the following games at the Arena Zagreb today (Sunday (26 January).

MAIN ROUND, GROUP IV
Iceland vs Argentina 30:21 (15:10)

Despite Argentina’s players admitting their physical exhaustion after five games in two weeks in Croatia, the South American side put up a sterling fight against an Iceland side who had it all to play for.

Up until the 21st minute it was all square (9:9), with Argentina leading those opening moments, causing Iceland coach Snorri Gudjonsson to take an early time out (15th minute) after a 2:0 Argentina run saw them go 6:5 ahead.

Once again, the Europeans could rely on goalkeeper Viktor Hallgrimsson as he prevented their opponents going two ahead shortly after, with his six saves helping his team to go ahead (9:8) in the 20th minute for the first time in over 10 minutes.

But following that Argentina time out soon after, the Aron Palmarsson-led Iceland seemed to move up through the gears, realising that they still had that opportunity to progress.

9:9 became 13:9 in seven minutes (27th minute) with Hallgrimsson moving to a 50% (9/18) save-to-shot ratio as Argentina continued to spurn opportunities – a turnover from Facundo Cangiani, which could have made it 13:11 drawing choice words from his coach Rodolfo Jung in exasperation.

With Egypt coach Juan Carlos Pastor watching from the sidelines, Iceland ended the half strongly, Hallgrimsson ending on 50% (10/20) and his side going in five ahead (15:10).

The second half saw Palmarsson rested and he watched his side go ahead by double figures in the 43rd minute (23:13). Moments later a big cheer from the watching Iceland fans greeted the introduction of Thorsteinn Gunnarsson and Stiven Tober Valencia to the court as it rounded off a perfect game.

Iceland and their fans in Zagreb will now play the waiting game, hoping for some magic to happen in their favour in the Croatian capital later tonight.

hummel Player of the Match: Viktor Hallgrimsson (Iceland)