Hamburg: Germany will have to overcome defending champions Spain if they are to progress to the last four of the Handball World Championships after the final round of group matches revealed Tuesday's quarter-final pairings. 

Poland pipped the tournament hosts to the top spot in Group I Sunday and a more favourable quarterfinal opponent in the form of Russia with a 38-27 victory over Slovenia.

Germany beat Iceland 33-28 in their final group match to sit level on eight points with Poland, who finish top of the group courtesy of their victory over the Germans in the preliminary round.

Meanwhile, in Group II, Olympic champions Croatia will take on European champions France after finishing top of the group with a 100 percent record, their latest win a 29-28 defeat of Spain.

Russia defeated Hungary in a nail-biting encounter that ended 26-25 but were only assured a place in the last eight when Denmark beat the Czech Republic 33-29.

The result sees the Danes finish second in Group II, meaning a quarterfinal tie against Iceland.

"No one expected us to be so far in front," said Poland coach Bogdan Wenta after his side secured top spot in Group 1 and the match with four-time Olympic champions Russia.

"My team stood right back up after the defeat against France and we are getting stronger day by day," he said.

Marcin Lijewski was top scorer for the Poles who have now won six out of six at the Ostwestfalen arena.

France overcame Tunisia 28-26 in the late game but were already guaranteed a place in the last eight regardless of the result following Slovenia's defeat. However, they will now have their work cut out against Croatia.

Germany celebrated their fourth win in succession in Dortmund as rising star Michael Kraus and goalkeeper Henning Fritz helped the hosts to victory over Iceland.