Paris, FRANCE, February 3 - Sweden beat Yugoslavia 25-24 (halftime 14-9) in the semifinals of the 17th World Handball Championships in France on Saturday.

Two seconds was all that was left. Nedeljko Jovanovic had just equalized to 24-24 on a penalty. Sweden had lost their five-goal lead. But then, two seconds before full time, Stefan Lovgren thundered the ball into the net.

Sweden is through to the final, while Yugoslavia, despite its heroic second half, has to settle for the bronze-final.

Sweden took the lead in some close opening minutes.

Yugoslavia was seemingly falling behind, but Lapcevic scored for 7-4 and Milosavljevic: 7-5. As Ernelid scored for 9-5, it was his fourth goal already.

Straight afterwards: Magnus Wislander with his 40th goal of the tournament, equalizing the all time Swedish goal scoring-record of Carlen. 10-6. Not long thereafter: 13-7 from Ljubomir Vranjes. Lovgren and Matic got the last goals of the 1st half.

Sweden was 14-9 up at half time, but ten minutes before full time Yugoslavia had equalized the lead.

Yugoslavia's coach Branislav Pokrajac has led his boys through some impressive performances since the beginning of the competition.

What was to come, was nothing less than a thriller. Sweden continued its solid play after the break, with lethal counter-attacks. Ernelid: 16-10. Swedish goalie Peter Gentzel (32) is still at his very best, giving Ernelid a golden chance: 18-11!

19-13 came through a blistering shot from Stefan Lovgren. Yugoslavia then scored two quick goals. Lovgren again after 19 min: 21-17. But then a thunderbolt from Maksic to 21-18 was a sign of what was to come: suddenly: 21-20! Svensson replaced Gentzel in the Swedish goal. Vranjes missed a penalty. Instead: 22-22! Perhaps 22-23 as well? But Jovanovic missed the vital shot. Vranjes: 23-22 for Sweden. The final minutes were very dramatic, culminating, as mentioned above, with Lovgren`s blistering 25-24 goal three seconds before full time.

Sweden is in the final, while Yugoslavia will play for bronze.

Semi-finals - R E S U L T S (Paris, February 3): France - Egypt 24-21 (8-10), YUGOSLAVIA - Sweden 24-25 (9-14)

Third place match (Paris, February 4): YUGOSLAVIA - Egypt

Final (Paris, February 4): France - Sweden

All results of the Yugoslav national team at the World Championship in France

YUGOSLAVIA - Brazil 31-23 (15-12)
YUGOSLAVIA - Algeria 23-20 (14-7)
YUGOSLAVIA - Argentina 32-10 (15-2).
YUGOSLAVIA - France 20-22 (8-13).
YUGOSLAVIA - Kuwait 40-14 (21-6).
YUGOSLAVIA - Iceland 31-27 (15-10)
YUGOSLAVIA - Spain 26-24 (13-10)
YUGOSLAVIA - Sweden 24-25 (9-14)