Netherlands prove a point winning the Intersport Cup

With only one week before the Women’s EHF EURO 2022, the Netherlands look primed to be back on the biggest of stages after comfortably winning the Intersport Cup. This friendly tournament took place in Stavanger, Norway, from 27 to 30 October 2022.

The 2019 IHF Women’s World Championship gold medallists, who have not won a medal in any major tournament since being crowned world champions, are back at their best. Despite several high-profile absences in their squad, they secured the title at the Intersport Cup with wins over Norway, Denmark and Brazil.

Missing captain Danick Snelder through injury and the top goal scorer at Japan 2019, Lois Abbingh, who recently gave birth, the Netherlands marched to the trophy with three wins in three matches, the most impressive one, a clear 33:24 win against hosts Norway, coming on Thursday, the first day of the competition.

Powered by six goals from back Inger Smits, the Netherlands took an early lead, had a five-goal advantage at the break (18:13) and sealed a 33:24 win, despite Norway welcoming back Nora Mørk and Stine Bredal Oftedal in their squad.

However, the reigning world champions missed Kari Dale, the MVP of the 2021 IHF Women’s World Championship, Sanna Solberg-Isaksen, Camilla Herrem and Veronica Kristiansen, who will also miss the EHF EURO 2022, while goalkeeper Katrine Lunde was rested.

The Netherlands continued their excellent run of form against Brazil (27:26) and Denmark (26:25), displaying superb defensive consistency, with an average of 25 conceded goals per game.

Norway finished in second place in the standings, taking a 28:27 win against Denmark and 27:22 win against Brazil. The game against their Scandinavian rivals, in particular, was a roller-coaster, as Denmark led by as many as six goals in the first half, only to collapse in the second half.

In that game, Norway was helped by a superb pair of Henny Reistad and Vilde Ingstad, who combined for 17 goals.

In the other match of the tournament, Denmark clinched a 34:22 win against Brazil but finished third, just like in the Golden League, where they also conceded heavy defeats against Norway and the Netherlands.

One month ago, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands, alongside Switzerland, faced off in the Golden League, another friendly tournament in Denmark, with the reigning world and European champions securing the title with three clear wins.

At the EHF EURO 2022, Norway will be part of Group A, where they face Hungary, Croatia and Switzerland, the latter side making their debut in a final tournament. If both teams qualify, Denmark will face their Scandinavian counterparts in the main round, with Jesper Jensen’s side being drawn in Group B, alongside Sweden, Serbia and co-hosts Slovenia. 

Meanwhile, the Netherlands are in Group C, with reigning Olympic champions France, co-hosts North Macedonia and Romania.

Photo: Spanish Handball Federation/Á. Bermejo