Big guns silenced as Spain, Sweden reach Euro Handball final

Both favourites were knocked out of the European handball championship semi-finals on Friday as Spain beat world champions France 27-23 and Sweden edged Olympic title holders Denmark 35-34 after extra time.

Goalkeepers took centre stage in both games as Spain's Arpad Sterbik, called up as a late replacement for the injured first-choice Perez de Vargas, stopped three penalties while Sweden's Andreas Palicka racked up a barrage of saves.

France and Denmark will meet in the bronze medal match on Sunday before Spain, who are aiming for their first European title after four silver medals, meet former quadruple champions Sweden in the imposing Zagreb Arena.

A normally prolific French attack was stifled by Spain's steely defence which gave playmaker Nikola Karabatic no room to operate and with the supply routes cut off, France trailed 15-9 at halftime.

Spain appeared to have wrapped up the match when they carved out a staggering 23-14 lead midway through the second half, but France then produced their best spell of the contest as they scored six unanswered goals.

Spain held their nerve in the closing stages though and romped into the final on the back of seven goals from right wing...