What a start for Austria’s national women’s handball team at the Women’s EHF EURO 2024: In the opening game, they beat Slovakia 37:24, recording their highest victory at a European Championship to date and scoring the most goals ever scored! They now face Olympic champions and defending champions Norway on Saturday, live on ORF SPORT + at 18:00, before the deciding match for progression to the main round against Slovenia on Monday at 18:00 on ORF 1.
It was not a gala by the defending champions, but Norway’s 95th victory at Women’s EHF EURO tournaments was never endangered by Slovenia at the 33:26 on Thursday night in Innsbruck.
Both teams brought changed sides compared to recent tournaments, with several stars retiring or absent for other reasons. Norway’s squad eventually prevailed, but have plenty of room for improvement if they want to take their tenth trophy as a farewell gift four outgoing coach Thorir Hergeirsson.
The top scorer was Norway’s super star Henny Reistad, who also was awarded Player of the Match, presented by Grundfos.
Day 2 – InnsbruckWomen’s EHF EURO 2024 group F in Innsbruck almost started with a major sensation: Iceland were close to beating the Netherlands in a classical David-vs-Goliath duel.
But outstanding goalkeeper Elin Jona Thorsteinsdottir, top scorer Perla Albertsdóttir and their never-ending morale finally were not enough for the unlucky Icelanders in their EHF EURO comeback after 12 years to take their first point ever at a European championship. On the other side, the Dutch side were rattled, but took the 27:25 win thanks to three counter-attack goals in the final stages.
Germany take second biggest victory at EHF EUROs – Germany did not only take their 50th victory at EHF EURO final tournament, but almost their biggest ever EHF EURO victory. The record is a 36:22 win against Slovakia in Zagreb at the 2014 event. But in their last duel with Ukraine, the EHF EURO 2024 qualifier in April in Heidelberg, they took an even bigger result, winning 43:21. They beat Ukraine 30:17 on Friday evening.
Day 3 – InnsbruckAfter a spirited fight and a good opening phase, Austria’s national women’s handball team fell well behind towards the end of the first 30 minutes in their second game at the home EURO on Saturday evening against Olympic champions and defending champions Norway. After leading 23:14 at the break, the Scandinavians held on to win 38:24.
Slovenia then took their chance to stay in the running for the main round with a clear 37:24 victory over Slovakia. Slovenia’s victory means that Norway advances to the main round. The direct duel between Austria and Slovenia next Monday will decide second place.
Day 4 – InnsbruckIceland fulfilled their dream and the fans in the stands of the Olympic Hall in Innsbruck were ecstatic. Thanks to a great first half, head coach Arnar Pétursson’s team claimed their first ever victory in their eighth game in three EHF EURO finals, beating Ukraine 27:24.
Thanks to the Icelandic success, the Netherlands have secured their ticket to the main round after beating Germany in the first match of the day and will finish top of the group. Supported by their goalkeeper Yara ten Holte, who was named Player of the Match presented by Grundfos with 16 saves, the Dutch turned round a six-goal deficit before the break before taking control in the final minutes to win 29:22.
Day 5 – InnsbruckWhat an unlucky and unhappy end for the Women’s EHF EURO 2024 co-hosts Austria. In their 50th EHF EURO match, they needed to beat Slovenia to book the ticket to the main round, but after a real rollercoaster ride, the Slovenians danced on the court after their 25:24 victory in Innsbruck.
For Slovenia, a draw would have been enough to proceed, and even the great support of 3,341 fans in the arena was not enough for Austria. Austrian top scorer Johanna Reichert (nine goals) was awarded Player of the Match, presented by Grundfos.
Women’s EHF EURO defending champions Norway finished the preliminary round in Innsbruck with a clean record of three wins, an impressive 109 goals and a goal difference of +44 after their 38:15 victory against Slovakia.
Alongside 41:18 and 43:30 wins against Slovenia in 2004 and 2006, this was Norway’s biggest EHF EURO win ever. The Slovaks conceded their third defeat in Innsbruck and their 13th in their 15th EHF EURO match.
Day 6 – InnsbruckThe Women’s EHF EURO 2024 said goodbye to Innsbruck, as the preliminary round has concluded – and Germany say hello to Vienna. They booked their main round ticket in style with a 30:19 victory against Iceland and join the Netherlands in the next stage.
For the 15th time in their 16th EHF EURO participation, Germany proceeded from the preliminary round, while Iceland have to travel home despite standing strong for a long time. They will hope for their second-ever EHF EURO win in 2026, while the Germans will play their 100th EHF EURO match on 7 December.
Although their Women’s EHF EURO 2024 main round berth was already secured after beating Germany, the Netherlands had a true hunger for goals in their last match in Innsbruck. The 43:23 victory against Ukraine was their biggest-ever win in their 10th EHF EURO participation and also their all-time EHF EURO high score. Both previous records were scored in the 42:25 win against Montenegro in 2022.
Ukraine showed spirit after the break, although the match had long been decided, but took their 11th straight EHF EURO defeat since 2010. The top scorers were Sarah Dekker, who was awarded Player of the Match, presented by Grundfos, with eight goals for the Netherlands; and Tatiana Smbatian with seven strikes for Ukraine.