With the W19 EHF EURO 2021 currently in full fledge in Celje, Slovenia, 16 other teams are preparing for the Women’s 19 EHF Championships in Chieti, Italy and Skopje, North Macedonia between 10 and 18 July.

The two tournaments will be held in parallel in Italy and North Macedonia, with two winners being declared after the eight days of competition.

Two teams – Georgia and Great Britain – had to retire from the competition due to COVID-19 restrictions and current health measures put in place.

The tournament in Italy will host seven teams, split into two groups. Serbia, hosts Italy, Turkey and Bulgaria were drawn into Group A, while Spain, Israel and Lithuania are in Group B. The top two sides from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, set to be played on 17 July, while the winners of the two semi-finals face off in the final, on 18 July.

The second tournament features nine teams, including the silver medallists at the last W19 EHF EURO in 2019, the Netherlands. 

The Dutch side is in Group B, alongside hosts North Macedonia, the Faroe Islands, Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina, featuring as heavy favourites prior to the throw off. The Netherlands took part in a friendly tournament in Hungary between 25 and 28 June, winning against Switzerland, 22:21 and Russia, 30:25, only to concede a loss in the final game against the hosts, 24:31. All three opponents are taking part in the W19 EHF EURO 2021 in Slovenia.

Iceland, Poland, Belarus and Finland were drawn into Group A. The best two-placed teams in each group will progress to the semi-finals on 17 July, with the finals scheduled in Skopje on 18 July.

For more information, visit the European Handball Federation website.

Photo: European Handball Federation