After defeats in their opening two preliminary round matches, the Czechs knew they needed to beat Spain to avoid exiting at the first round hurdle.

However, despite leading for much of the contest in Herning they succumbed to three late goals as they lost 27-24.

After the teams traded goals initially, the Czech Republic opened up a 9-5 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Despite the Czechs advantage being reduced to a goal during the second quarter they opened up a lead again and held a 16-11 advantage at half-time.

They maintained this lead during the third quarter and extended it to six goals at one point, and at the end of the third quarter they held a five goal advantage at 22-17.

Spain stepped things up in the fourth quarter and with three minutes to go had levelled things at 24-24.

Two goals in the 57th minute and a further one in the 59th were enough to give Spain a three goal win and ensure a third-placed finish in the group, enough to qualify for the next stage.

In the second group match of the night, Olympic champions Russia beat Sweden 30-26 to end the preliminary round stage with a perfect three wins from three.

The Russians got off to a strong start and opened up an 11-5 lead at the end of the first quarter.

After a poor first half, the Swedes picked up the pace in the second quarter and reduced the deficit to 15-13 at the interval.

Russia maintained their two goal advantage at the end of the third quarter as they led 22-20.

Despite the Swedes closing the gap to two goals during the fourth quarter Russia ended up triumphing 30-26.

Russia topped the group with six points followed by Sweden and Spain both on three points and the Czech Republic eliminated with zero points.

Group D also came to a conclusion today in Kolding with Poland eliminated following a 21-21 draw with Germany in the first match of the day.

Having lost their first two fixtures the pressure was on the Poles coming into this one and they got off to a good start opening up a 6-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.

As half-time approached Germany turned a two goal deficit into a one goal advantage at half-time as they edged ahead 9-8.

A seesaw third quarter saw the lead change hands on multiple occasions but at the end of it the teams were all square at 15-15.

The fourth quarter was an equally unpredictable affair with both teams taking the lead at various points before the Germans opened up a two goal lead with just over two minutes to go.

Poland kept on battling scoring with 30 seconds to go to secure a 21-21 draw, which unfortunately was not enough to avoid elimination at the preliminary round stage.

In the second game of the day two teams who knew they were already through to the next stage, Norway and Romania met, with Norway winning 28-20.

At the end of a closely fought opening quarter the score was level at 8-8.

Despite Norway opening up a three goal advantage during the second quarter Romania battled back to level at 13-13 at the interval.

At the end of the third quarter Norway held a two goal lead at 19-17.

The Norwegians pulled away in the final quarter and won by an eight goal margin to finish with a perfect record in their group of three wins from three.

Norway topped the group with six points ahead of Germany with three and Romania with two, and Poland eliminated with just one point.

The final day of the preliminary round sees Groups A and C conclude.

Heading into the matches, in Group A Denmark and France are already through, with Montenegro facing Slovenia to decide who else advances.

The picture in Group C is more complex with only Croatia assured of their place heading into the last round of games.

World champions The Netherlands have their fate in their own hands and need to beat Hungary to progress.

If Hungary win they then need Croatia to beat Serbia.

For Serbia to advance they neither need to beat Croatia, or if they lose to Croatia they need The Netherlands to beat Hungary.