Women’s 19 EHF EURO 2021 throws off in Slovenia

08 Jul. 2021

Women’s 19 EHF EURO 2021 throws off in Slovenia

The Women’s 19 EHF EURO 2021 throws off today (8 July) in Celje, Slovenia, with 15 teams being featured, including reigning champions Hungary, hosts Slovenia, and traditional powerhouses like Denmark, France, Norway, Romania and Russia.

The teams are divided into three groups of four teams and one group of three teams, after Portugal retired due to COVID-19 issues. The top two-placed teams in each group will progress to the main round, while the other two sides are due to play in two groups of four teams each in the intermediate round.

Reigning champions Hungary, who were also the vice-champions at the 2018 IHF Women’s Youth World Championship, will have a mountain to climb, having been drawn in a tough group, alongside Norway, Romania and the Czech Republic.

The Hungarian side won only one of the three preparation games played before the start of the tournament, against Denmark, conceding losses against Sweden and Norway.

Reigning world champions, Russia, who finished fourth at the last Women’s 19 EHF EURO, will face Slovakia and Sweden in Group B. Therefore, the Russian side still look like a team to beat, with another talented generation ready to pounce.

Hosts Slovenia will have their work cut out, facing Denmark, Germany and Switzerland in Group A, especially with crucial line player Valentina Klemencic missing due to a shoulder injury. Klemencic, 19, scored 57 goals in the last two seasons in the DELO EHF Champions League for Slovenian champions RK Krim Mercator.

Yet, the Slovenian side will be motivated by the return of the fans in the stands, who will surely make their presence felt.

“It gives us extra energy. As always, the fans will be really important, because they give us strength and even more poise to win by cheering,” said Erin Novak, Slovenia’s centre back, to the Slovenian Handball Federation’s official website.

The tournament will conclude on 18 July with the final and the bronze-medal game at Zlatorog Arena.

For more information, visit the competition website.

Women’s 19 EHF EURO 2021:

Group A: Denmark, Germany, Slovenia, Switzerland
Group B: Sweden, Russia, Slovakia
Group C: France, Austria, Montenegro, Croatia
Group D: Hungary, Norway, Romania, Czech Republic

Photo: European Handball Federation