Montenegro are in the main round for the first time since 2008 and knocked out 2020's fourth-place finishers in the process.

Nebojša Simić made a key save in the final minute as Montenegro won a nail-biter in Debrecen 33-32, with Branko Vujović finishing with nine goals.

Denmark brushed aside North Macedonia 31-21 in Group A's other match and finish the preliminary round with three wins from three.

In Bratislava, Sweden and the Czechs played out a thriller which ended 27-27.

The draw was enough for Sweden to advance, although things could have been different had the Czechs not lost possession on a counter-attack in the dying seconds.

Defending champions Spain defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 28-24, so topped Group E with three wins from three.

Olympic champions France also have three wins from three thanks to a 29-25 win against Serbia in Szeged, where the damage was done in the first half.

Croatia thrashed Ukraine 38-25, so join the French in advancing from Group C.

Norway, bronze medallists two years ago, beat Lithuania 35-29 in Košice to secure passage to the main round.

Co-hosts Slovakia were unable to join them, going down 27-36 against a Russian team who topped Group F.

Groups D and B, the latter including co-hosts Hungary, are due to conclude tomorrow.