The IHF Trophy Women - Continental Phase Europe delivered an exciting showcase of emerging talent in both the youth and junior categories, with Bulgaria claiming dominant titles in each competition and booking double tickets to the IHF Women’s Inter-Continental Trophy. Both tournaments featured five teams and were played in a round-robin format, in Prishtina, Kosovo, with the Youth competition taking place between 26 and 30 November, while the Junior was scheduled between 2 and 6 December.

In the youth event, Bulgaria were unstoppable throughout the whole competition. They opened with a solid 25:17 victory against Kosovo and never looked back. Subsequent wins against Belgium (36:31), Azerbaijan (47:24) and Great Britain (38:23) completed a perfect record of four wins from four matches. With eight points, Bulgaria comfortably topped the table and underlined their status as the team to beat at this level.

Belgium emerged as the closest challengers, finishing second with six points. A strong 36:26 win over Great Britain and a crucial 31:28 success against Kosovo proved decisive in the battle for the podium. Kosovo, who showed resilience throughout the tournament - highlighted by a 34:24 victory over Azerbaijan and a 27:19 win versus Great Britain - closed the event in third place on four points. Great Britain’s lone success came in the opening 32:27 triumph over Azerbaijan, which saw the British side end fourth on two points. Azerbaijan finished fifth without a win.

The junior competition followed a similar script, with Bulgaria again setting the standard. Their campaign began with a 31:22 victory over Belgium and gathered momentum with a 34:25 win against Kosovo. A convincing 43:33 triumph over Georgia further cemented their dominance, and a closing 33:27 success against Great Britain ensured a flawless four-win record and first place with eight points. 

Belgium once more secured the runners-up position, collecting six points from wins against Georgia (30:29), Great Britain (34:31) and Kosovo (31:28). Kosovo, whose 38:32 victory against Georgia and 30:27 success over Great Britain showcased their attacking power, finished third on four points. Georgia took fourth place with two points, earned in a narrow 36:35 opening win over Great Britain, while the British side closed the table in fifth without a victory despite several narrow defeats.

With both youth and junior titles secured and all matches won, Bulgaria’s women’s teams have earned the right to represent Europe at the IHF Women’s Inter-Continental Trophy phase

Credit photo: Federata e Hendbollit e Kosovës