Berlin, 29 January 2024 (dpa/MIA) - In a nerve-wracking game, France defeated Denmark 33-31 after extra time on Sunday to claim their first men's European handball championship title in 10 years.

This was France's fourth title in the competition, previously taking home the trophy in 2006, 2010 and 2014. They sit just one title behind record winners Sweden, who claimed bronze earlier.

France levelled the game before half-time, but fell behind again in the second period and were forced to fight back again for the equalizer and send the game into extra time.

They took the edge in the second five minutes and Yanis Lenne netted the championship-winning goal.

Hosts Germany, meanwhile, finished the tournament on home soil empty handed after a 34-31 defeat to Sweden on Sunday in Cologne.

"Unfortunately, we didn't achieve our goal, but it was still a good tournament. The team has worked its way closer to the top teams," coach Alfred Gislason said.

Germany were down 18-12 at half-time, but at several times during the second half it looked like they could power through to claim a comeback win.

Sweden, however, didn't surrender to the pressure from the home crowd and kept their nerves in check to claim bronze and a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"It has been one of the toughest Euros I've ever played. There were some crazy results and with the level of the other teams improving every time, there was no easy games. So, in this context, to think that we are the third best country in Europe, it's nice," Sweden centre back Jim Gottfridsson said.

Germany, meanwhile, will have to play a qualification tournament in March for a chance to play at the Olympics. They haven't won a medal at a major tournament since Olympic bronze in 2016 and the European championship gold in the same year.

"When you hit the semi-finals at a home competition, of course you think that you can win the title. So it's bitter that we lose the last two games and go home with nothing in our hands," Germany right back Kai Häfner said.

"During the last two games, we played very good halves twice but did not manage to keep our performance at a high level for 60 minutes. The overall feeling right now is bitterness, definitely."

Both France (Olympic hosts) and Denmark (2023 handball world champions) were already qualified to the 2024 Games in Paris.

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