Canada Wins Men's Curling Worlds
At the World Men's Curling Championships in Basel this week, Canada won the gold medal after a 5-3 defeat of Denmark in the final match. Canada had also won in 2012 in Basel, the last time Canadians were crowned world champions. A surprise Denmark team - which wasn't even in the top grouping at this year's European Championships - had made it to the final match, and kept pace until the ninth and tenth ends. The gold marked Canada's 35th title in history. Meanwhile, in the third place match, the United States defeated Japan 8-6 to claim the bronze medal.
But the Danes Win in Handball
At the three Olympic Qualification Tournaments for men's handball, all three host teams successfully secured Rio tickets. That included Denmark, winning their group over Croatia in second, Sweden slipping in with a second place by virtue of goal differential and behind group winners Slovenia, and Poland sweeping their group to finish above second-place Tunisia. All three winners and three second-place finishers qualified to Rio. In that Slovenia and Sweden group, Spain finished third - due to a one point goal differential behind Sweden, who they had beaten by two points in the final match. That resulted in Spain - three-time Olympic bronze medalists - would not compete at the Olympics for the first time since 1968.
At the World Men's Curling Championships in Basel this week, Canada won the gold medal after a 5-3 defeat of Denmark in the final match. Canada had also won in 2012 in Basel, the last time Canadians were crowned world champions. A surprise Denmark team - which wasn't even in the top grouping at this year's European Championships - had made it to the final match, and kept pace until the ninth and tenth ends. The gold marked Canada's 35th title in history. Meanwhile, in the third place match, the United States defeated Japan 8-6 to claim the bronze medal.
But the Danes Win in Handball
At the three Olympic Qualification Tournaments for men's handball, all three host teams successfully secured Rio tickets. That included Denmark, winning their group over Croatia in second, Sweden slipping in with a second place by virtue of goal differential and behind group winners Slovenia, and Poland sweeping their group to finish above second-place Tunisia. All three winners and three second-place finishers qualified to Rio. In that Slovenia and Sweden group, Spain finished third - due to a one point goal differential behind Sweden, who they had beaten by two points in the final match. That resulted in Spain - three-time Olympic bronze medalists - would not compete at the Olympics for the first time since 1968.
Hungary Leads Final Water Polo Qualifications
At the last Olympic Qualifying Tournament for water polo, Hungary continued their power in the sport by taking the gold and leading the final quartet of Games qualifiers to Rio. At the 12-team tournament in Trieste, Hungary, Italy, Spain and France won their quarterfinal matches to secure Olympic berths at the expense of the other quarterfinalists Germany, Romania, Canada and the Netherlands (in penalty shots), respectively. The Hungarians then went on to take the title over Italy, 10-8 in the final match while Spain took third over France. Those four teams now join Brazil, Serbia, USA, Japan, Croatia, Greece, Australia and Montenegro in Rio.
At the last Olympic Qualifying Tournament for water polo, Hungary continued their power in the sport by taking the gold and leading the final quartet of Games qualifiers to Rio. At the 12-team tournament in Trieste, Hungary, Italy, Spain and France won their quarterfinal matches to secure Olympic berths at the expense of the other quarterfinalists Germany, Romania, Canada and the Netherlands (in penalty shots), respectively. The Hungarians then went on to take the title over Italy, 10-8 in the final match while Spain took third over France. Those four teams now join Brazil, Serbia, USA, Japan, Croatia, Greece, Australia and Montenegro in Rio.
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