Germany claim their first-ever Women’s 17 EHF EURO title
Germany claim their first-ever Women’s 17 EHF EURO title
The last day of the 2017 Women’s 17 EHF EURO in Michalovce, Slovakia featured four games full of action, tears of joy and tears of heartbreak. The day ended with a closing and awarding ceremony featuring traditional Slovakian dancing.
Final
Germany beat Norway 23:18 (12:9) in the final to claim their first-ever title in this competition and at the final buzzer the German players celebrated in wild excitement.
UNFASSBAR! Wir sind EUROPAMEISTER Mädels ihr seid der Wahnsinn ‼️#NORGER #Slovakia2017 #GOLDMÄDCHEN pic.twitter.com/UaUXir7xV8
— DHB_Nationalteams (@DHB_Teams) August 20, 2017
Six goals from Jana Scheib ensured she finished as the top-scorer for Maik Nowak’s German side, who extended their three-goal half-time lead to five at the final buzzer.
The best players were Kristina Sirum Novak for Norway and Lena Neubrander for Germany.
Bronze/Placement Match 3/4
France did not have enough left in the tank as they were easily defeated by Hungary 32:18 (13:9) in the bronze medal match. Greta Kacsor put in a best player performance for the Hungarians while Tamara Pal again top-scored for them, with six goals.
Julie Leblevec with a best player performance and Pauletta Foppa, who top-scored on five could not do enough to fight back from four goals down at half-time as they were only able to score nine goals in each half.
Placement Match 5/6
Russia beat Denmark 32:24 (19:14) with Galina Izmailova striking seven times for her side and teammate Elena Mikhaylichenko picking up the best player award with six goals. The best player for Denmark was Anna Berger Wierzba.
Placement Match 7/8
A best player performance from Romanian goalkeeper Andreea Bianca Chetraru helped her side beat Spain 30:25 (15:13) to confirm seventh place at the expense of Spain. Six goals from Andreea Cristina Popa also helped Romania, with Malena Valles Becerra only able to score five for Spain.
Placement Matches 9-16
Yesterday, placement matches from 9-16 took place with Czech Republic finishing in 15th place after beating Serbia 27:17 (16:9). Croatia then beat Austria 34:27 (16:13) to end in 13th position. Montenegro ended in 11th after defeating the hosts Slovakia 22:20 (13:11) and, in the final match of the day, Sweden beat an injury-depleted Netherlands 31:20 (15:11) to finish inside the top 10, in ninth.
Final ranking
1. Germany
2. Norway
3. Hungary
4. France
5. Russia
6. Denmark
7. Romania
8. Spain
9. Sweden
10. Netherlands
11. Montenegro
12. Slovakia
13. Croatia
14. Austria
15. Czech Republic
16. Serbia
All-star team
The best players of the tournament were announced in the awarding ceremony with Romania, Germany, Spain, Hungary, France, Russia, Norway, Netherlands and Sweden all having a representative in the super squad.
Goalkeeper: Diana Cristiana Ciuca (ROU)
Left Wing: Anna Lena Hausherr (GER)
Left Back: Jana Sobrepera Casol (ESP)
Centre Back: Tamara Pal (HUN)
Pivot: Pauletta Foppa (FRA)
Right Back: Valeriia Maslova (RUS)
Right Wing: Henrikke Hauge Kjolholdt (NOR)
Best Defender: Isabelle Andersson (SWE)
Top Scorer: Zoe Sprengers (NED)
Most Valuable Player: Aimee von Pereira (GER)
At the initiative of the EHF Women’s Handball Board, all All-Star Team members received a special, personalised t-shirt from Salming Sports AB, the official outfitter of the EHF and EHF Marketing GmbH. The t-shirts contained a special message addressing the players as ‘Young Handball Ambassadors’ in recognition of their promotion of handball in their home countries and further afield.
Female coaches recognised
The W17 EHF EURO in Slovakia saw three teams present coached by women and in recognition of this, the EHF Women’s Handball Board presented Ausra Fridrikas (AUT), Beata Bohus (HUN) and Milanka Celebic (MNE) with a special, personalised hooded sweatshirt from Salming Sports AB, the official outfitter of the EHF and EHF Marketing GmbH.
The sweatshirts had a special logo with the logo ‘Handball is in my Heart’ attached, and all coaches received a special message to them as ‘Women’s Handball Ambassadors’ in recognition of their promotion of handball in their home countries and further afield.
