Croatia and North Macedonia received Euro 2024 tickets when the penultimate qualification started Wednesday evening. Croatia was never in doubt in a class act versus Greece and North Macedonia used both experienced and coming players to achieve a 15-goal-win in the final step to the championship.
Just above half of the 24 spots to the end of the year tournament are filled up after the first match day in round five. Croatia joined Romania from group 1 after a rapid attacking session and a defensive performance in the second half. Greece scored only three times which left the field open for pivot Katarina Jezic and her teammates.
North Macedonia became the second team to break the barrier, with wing players Jovana Sazdovska and Sara Ristovska on fire in Baku. Azerbaijan could keep the same pace and North Macedonia followed Spain on the direct qualifier spots in group 5.
Serbia gained momentum with 35–17 over Bulgaria while group contender Turkey kept close to still behind Montenegro, 28-30. Group 6 will end in a rivetting duel for top two, Serbia and Turkey played 29–29 last time. Still, both nations are in good positions, as the losing team on Sunday very likely will be one the four best placed third teams.
European Championships qualification
Group 1, Greece–Croatia 13–24 (10–9)
Group 4, Italy–France 13–36 (7–19)
Group 5, Azerbaijan–North Macedonia 22–37 (12–19)
Lithuania–Spain 20–34 (9–17)
Group 6, Bulgaria–Serbia 17-35 (6-19)
Turkey–Montenegro 28–30 (15–14
Group 7, Faroe Islands–Sweden 27–31 (11–14)
Luxembourg–Iceland 15–31 (5–15)