France and Tokyo 2020 bronze medallists Spain had already secured the top two places in Group One of the main round.

Two-time winners Spain had to beat their opponents at the Tauron Arena in Kraków to leapfrog them into first place, and the teams were level at 13-13 at the halfway stage.

A fast start to the second half from the Spanish built them a 21-18 lead, but France hit back and went on to triumph 28-26.

Nedim Remili, Dika Mem, Kentin Mahé and Thibaud Briet each scored four times for France, although player of the match went to Spain's Daniel Fernández Jiménez, who scored seven goals.

Slovenia ended their tournament on a high with a 31-23 victory over Montenegro to seal third place in Group One, and co-hosts Poland made sure of fourth place by beating Iran 26-22.

The other host nation Sweden joined France in reaching the quarter-finals with six wins after a 32-30 triumph over Portugal at the Scandinavium in Gothenburg.

Sweden rested players including Andreas Palicka and Albin Lagegren, and it was Portugal who led 14-13 at half-time.

However, the 2021 runners-up and reigning European champions hit back in the second half to continue their perfect record at the tournament, with Daniel Pettersson scoring eight times.

It was a result which had implications on who joined Sweden from Group Two in the quarter-finals, with Portugal overtaken by Hungary and Iceland and dropping to fourth.

Hungary eased past Cape Verde 40-32, while Iceland saw off Brazil 41-37.

Both teams finished on six points in the group, with Hungary's 30-28 victory over Iceland in the first phase of the Championship on January 14 meaning they went through in second.

Groups Three and Four are set to conclude in the main round tomorrow.

Germany and Norway have already made sure of top-two places prior to their Group Three meeting in Katowice, while Egypt are assured of a quarter-final berth from Group Four.

Back-to-back world champions Denmark are best-placed to join them, but there could be pressure on their match against Egypt if third-placed Croatia beat Bahrain.

Denmark have seven points and Croatia five.

The teams drew 32-32 on Thursday (January 19), but the Danes have a superior goal difference by 22.