SUMMARY: Clean sweep for home teams as qualifiers open
The road to the Women's EHF EURO 2024 in Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland started with two days of round 1 qualifiers played on Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday, all 10 matches were clearly won by the home teams. Thursday followed the same pattern, with the four home sides earning decisive victories, although Germany were served the biggest challenge of the round by Ukraine.
The Women's EHF EURO Cup 2024 also got underway with two matches on Wednesday, in which Norway and Switzerland took the wins.
23:59
That brings our coverage of round 1 of the Women's EHF EURO 2024 Qualifiers to an end. Be sure to keep an eye on eurohandball.com over the coming days as we lead up to round 2 and follow the weekend games right here on the live blog.
See you then!
23:41
One round down, five to go — in the majority of cases. With only three teams in the group, group 8 have a slightly different schedule and only four rounds for each team. For the remainder, five games remain on the journey towards the final tournament in Hungary, Austria and Switzerland.
This coming weekend, 28 of the teams in the qualifiers will play round 2 — the exceptions being Poland, in group 8, and Israel and their scheduled opponents Germany (read more here). Six games will take place on Saturday, followed by eight on Sunday. See the full schedule here.
For now, nothing is decided, and round 2 will not bring any decisions either — but every goal and every point can end up counting towards the 20 berths available in the qualifiers.
The EHF EURO Cup will also continue on the weekend, with defending EHF EURO title holders Norway playing Switzerland and Austria meeting Hungary.
After this weekend, the next rounds will be played in February and early March (rounds 3 and 4) before the qualifiers conclude with rounds 5 and 6 in early April.
23:14
An incredible round 1 to open the Women's EHF EURO 2024 Qualifiers, as the home teams recorded a clean sweep across the board. After 10 teams recorded the feat on day one, day two saw Netherlands, Sweden, Germany and Denmark in the spotlight as they grabbed the points with dominent wins.
Read all about the day in our review below.
We got off to a good start, but because we don’t have that many players to change between, we ran out of power. It’s hard for us to win our duels in the offence, but it’s all about learning and progress for us. We didn’t expect to win this match, so for us it was more about our effort and to succeed with some of the few things we have had time to practice with such a new team.
We started quite weak, but finally we won by seven — this it what counts. In the beginning, we conceded too many goals and caused too many mistakes in attack, but we fought back into the match when we were down by five. The victory is the most important for today. Two-thirds of the match we played well.
21:47 FULL-TIME: GERMANY VS UKRAINE 31:24
It was far from easy but Germany grind out a clear win in the end against Ukraine, after a great contest throughout the match. With that, Germany become the sole team in group 2 with points, following the postponement of the Slovakia versus Israel encounter.
21:35 HALF-TIME: DENMARK VS KOSOVO 21:7
Easy does it for Denmark, who cruise to a commanding half-time advantage and look very much on track for a victory in their qualifiers opener. Anna Kristensen finishes the half with eight saves and a 53 per cent rate, while three Denmark players have reached the five-goal mark.
21:34 SECOND HALF: GERMANY VS UKRAINE 27:22
Just over seven minutes on the clock and anything can happen yet, but Alina Grijseels may have just netted the critical goal as she took her tally to seven with a fast-break goal that puts Germany five in front. It's money time now — can Ukraine close the gap or are Germany on their way to the points in this exciting encounter?
21:23 SECOND HALF: GERMANY VS UKRAINE 21:19
It's easily the closest match of round 1, as Germany and Ukraine progress in the second half with the score still very narrow and just under 20 minutes remaining. Germany have the edge but Ukraine continue to come within one goal over and over, so the home side are now looking to open a firm gap that keeps their visitors at bay.
Key factors are Germany's stronger shooting accuracy, which has them capitalising on their chances more than their opponents, and the saves of Sarah Wachter, who tallies six stops at almost 50 per cent.
21:12 FIRST HALF: DENMARK VS KOSOVO 8:4
Just 10 minutes for Denmark to establish a commanding upper hand, as they lead 8:4 and are clearly the stronger side based on the statistics. Before the match, wing Emma Friis was announced as the Danish Female Player of the Year, and she is showing why with four goals already. In goal, Anna Kristensen is having a big game, with three saves at an impressive rate of 42 per cent.
We will talk about the roller coaster behaviour. Portugal tried to shoot from distance and we tried to fix this. Then they started to play like many let's say south European teams do, with breakthroughs, then we fixed this. We got to take the lead but then the same thing in the second half and we lost our flow and activity. At that moment they showed that Portugal is a good team. So there were some points I am happy with but we will talk about the roller coaster.
19:58 RESULT: SWEDEN VS FAROE ISLANDS | 37:20
Sweden record a decisive victory that puts their first two points on the board. Linn Blohm finishes as top scorer of the game with a massive eight-goal effort.
19:53 FIRST HALF: NETHERLANDS VS PORTUGAL 11:9
After 18 minutes, Netherlands are holding the upper hand but Portugal are breathing down their necks. The home side were looking comfortable with an 11:7 lead before a run of saves from Portugal keeper Isabel Góis kept Netherlands off the board for several minutes and enabled her side to close the gap.
19:48
An all-round update from both courts with matches currently live, as Portugal take a team timeout with the score at 10:6 for Netherlands and the clock nearing 15 minutes, while in Sweden the home team can really see the two points waiting for them at the final buzzer now. They lead Faroe Islands 34:19 with just over six minutes on the clock.
Meanwhile, in Germany, the home side are getting ready to play Ukraine, with throw-off just over 25 minutes away. Germany are one of only four teams to have played every edition of the EHF EURO, while Ukraine had a strong early history in the tournament but have not qualified since 2014. It will be the 12th meeting between the teams, with Germany having won eight of the previous encounters.
Germany are missing two important left handers: Right back Alicia Stolle, who has a foot injury, and right wing Amelie Berger, who is sick.
19:39 FIRST HALF: NETHERLANDS VS PORTUGAL 5:3
A fairly equal game so far with the edge for the home side, and a couple of key statistics highlight why Netherlands hold the upper hand: The home side have recorded far higher attacking and shooting percentages so far, with 62 per cent to Portugal's 40 per cent in attack and 83 per cent to Portugal's 47 per cent in shots.
19:33 SECOND HALF: SWEDEN VS FAROE ISLANDS | 26:15
11 minutes into the second half, Sweden have well and truly pulled away from Faroe Islands and have hit that double-digit lead all home sides recorded in the end on the opening night of the qualifiers.
While Linn Blohm is the top scorer of the match, with six goals, Sweden goalkeeper Evelina Eriksson has had a super performance so far after entering the goal in the second period, with five saves at a huge rate of 55 per cent. Check out one of her best saves below!
19:20
While Sweden and Faroe Islands return to court for the second half, Netherlands and Portugal are getting set to open their qualifiers campaigns in Almere in the Highlight Match of the round.
As with all tonight's matches, it's a case of a hopeful team versus an experienced EHF EURO side, as Netherlands have reached every final tournament since 2014 while Portugal have made it only once before, in 2008.
The teams have not met in an official match since 2002, (long) after which Netherlands became quite a powerhouse, winning a string of medals from 2015 to 2019 and the world title.
Two members of the 2019 World Championship All-star Team, Tess Lieder (goalkeeper) and Lois Abbingh (left back and top scorer at that event) are both back in the Netherlands line-up after pregnancies, although another player key in the world title win, Estavana Polman, is missing due to being in the final stages of recovery after knee surgery.
Catch Netherlands vs Portugal live on EHFTV.
19:05 HALF-TIME: SWEDEN VS FAROE ISLANDS | 19:13
Sweden power to the half-time break with a 4:1 run that leaves Faroe Islands with a far bigger task for the second 30 minutes. It looks as though the home side are well on the way to the two points up for grabs in this encounter, which would see them join Iceland on top of the group 7 table. The opening minutes of the second half will be crucial for Faroe Islands — if they can reduce the deficit when the match resumes, they will have a much better chance of swinging the result in their favour.
18:59 FIRST HALF: SWEDEN VS FAROE ISLANDS | 15:12
Five minutes to play in the half and Faroe Islands seem to have cemented something of a comeback, having stayed within a maximum difference of four goals for the last seven minutes and reduced to two more than once. It's a critical point as we approach the break, with the score line at the break sure to either offer Sweden plenty of confidence heading into the second period or Faroe Islands hope that they can continue to close the gap.
Two players have netted three apiece for Faroe Islands: Brynhild Palsdottir and Pernille Brandenborg.
18:48 FIRST HALF: SWEDEN VS FAROE ISLANDS | 10:5
15 minutes gone and Sweden are still clear in charge, at 10:5. Line player Linn Blohm has added three goals since the eight-minute mark, highlighting some problems in the middle of Faroe Islands' defence that will need to be addressed and some great work from the Sweden back court. But the visitors are certainly bringing top-class game play and Sweden can by no means feel too relaxed.
18:38 FIRST HALF: SWEDEN VS FAROE ISLANDS | 4:1
Six minutes played in Sweden and it's looking good for the home side so far, as they take an early lead at 4:1. Left back Jamina Roberts has netted two of Sweden's goals as she continues the really top form we've been seeing from her over the past couple of years.
Roberts won the EHF Champions League for the first time in her career earlier in 2023, playing an important role for Vipers, and two years back was named in the All-star Team at the Olympic Games. She was also named Swedish handballer of the year twice in a row in 2022 and 2023.
18:26
While we wait for throw-off in Uppsala, have a read of a feature on Netherlands Kelly Dulfer, as the EHF EURO 2016 silver medallists, EHF EURO 2018 bronze medallists and three-time back-to-back World Championship medallists (2015–2019) aim to return not only to the final tournament but the top of international rankings.
Check it out below! Netherlands will open their qualifiers campaign tonight against Portugal at 19:30 CEST.
23:19
What an interesting opening day of the Women's EHF EURO 2024 Qualifiers! Result-wise, we can see that there has been no pre-qualification played this time, meaning that all lower-raked teams appear in the qualifiers – the last phase before the final tournament.
With 24 teams taking part in Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland next year, and with the three co-hosts as well as Norway guaranteed of their spots, there are 20 tickets left for the 31 teams in the qualifiers.
Anyway, congrats to Romania, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Spain, and France, who all break their own records for both 'biggest win' and 'most goals' in an EHF EURO qualifier. And congrats to the five other teams: Czech Republic, Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, and Iceland, who have not set any new best marks but still got double-digit wins.
23:11
Blink and you miss some of the action with 10 EHF EURO Qualifiers and two EHF EURO Cup games tonight! But no worries, you can watch the best moments from the Highlight Match between Hungary and Norway as well as all other 11 matches on our Home of Handball YouTube channel.
22:58 RESULT |
_ Iceland vs Luxembourg 32:14 (19:7)
Iceland stretch the series of home team wins until the very end of day 1 of the qualifiers. They get their expected win over debutants Luxembourg, who have done pretty well in defence but need to work on their attacking power and shot efficiency. They have also run into a strong Iceland goalkeeper duo, as Elin Jona Thorsteinsdottir (10 from 17) and Hafdís Renötudóttir (five from 12) save more than half of all Luxembourg attempts.
22:46
Oh-la-la! Winning is one thing, winning beautifully is something different. France did both tonight:
22:38 RESULT |
_ France vs Italy 50:16 (29:9)
There you go: The fans wave French flags as the second team to crack the magic 50-goal barrier tonight is France, after Slovenia fired 51 goals past Latvia earlier. Chloé Valentini leads with nine, and together with Alicia Toublanc (eight) and Estelle Nze Minko (seven), she is a big part of the goals-galore party in Villeneuve-d'Ascq.
22:23
Iceland clearly leading Luxembourg by more than 10 goals, and not doing much to help their opponents feel better in their first-ever qualifier:
22:13
Apropos records: Of course, we don't want to jinx any team on the live blog, but France are closing in...
22:01 RESULT |
_ Spain vs Lithuania 47:14 (27:5)
And Spain are the latest team to join the 'record club': they never scored 47 goals in an EHF EURO Qualifier before (best mark was 42, against Bulgaria in 2016), and they never won a qualifier by +33 goals (previous best was +31, from that same 42:11 against Bulgaria). Remarkably, no real standout goal scorer tonight, as five players all score at least five goals, but no one more than seven.
Earlier tonight, Romania, Slovenia, and North Macedonia all broke their own records for 'biggest win' and 'most goals' as well... What a night!
21:32
20:3 in less than 18 minutes... France are ruthless against Italy!
21:28
Get ready for Luxembourg's debut in the qualifiers! They are visiting Iceland in group 7, throw-off at 21:30 CEST – which is also the last match of this bumper night of handball.
21:21
27:5 at half-time... Looks like Spain are inspired by all those big wins for the home teams we have seen in the seven qualifiers so far tonight.
"What a first half! Huge!" the Spanish federations writes on X:
21:15
The EHF EURO 2024 is an historic one as it will be the first women's European Championship with 24 teams competing at the final tournament. For Luxembourg, however, the EHF EURO 2024 is historic for another reason: For the first time ever appears the Luxembourg women's national team in the last qualification phase ahead of a World or European Championship.
More than enough reason for EHF journalist Björn Pazen to catch up with Luxembourg team captain Tina Welter for this feature:
21:12
We mentioned Pink October earlier on the live blog, and here we are again. France and Italy take the opportunity ahead of their group 5 qualifier to draw attention to the breast cancer awareness month. More info on the official Pink October website.
20:54
A useful test for Hungary, who are preparing to shine at their home European Championship next year. Let's hear from left wing Gréta Martón right after the match against Norway in Debrecen:
It was a really good game but, of course, it was really tough because we knew that we were going to meet a really good Norwegian team. We were well prepared but we made a lot of mistakes, especially in the first half. In the second half, we started to run more, and our defence was more aggressive, so that was the biggest change. We were struggling because they had really good line players. We tried to stop them but it was really hard because they are world stars.
We don't feel like we managed to put our defence well enough together in the first half; they had a lot of situations from six metres and that is not what we wanted, of course. We got a little better in the second, but then they also became more efficient from outside. But I am still happy we managed to control it better and get a big win in the end. It is the first match after a long time away from each other; you see there are certain things that are not working as normal. I think this match was perfect to re-find those small connections. We have a lot more work to do, still.
20:36 RESULT |
_ Hungary vs Norway 31:38 (17:19)
In the end a clear win for Norway, who go top of the EHF EURO Cup standings after round 1. Hungary give them a tough ride in the opening half, but the sheer class prevails after the break as Norway end the game all smiles...
20:25
Three more qualifiers tonight, starting with Spain against Lithuania in group 5 at 20:30 CEST. The fans know Spain are the favourites here, as Lithuania have played the final tournament only once before – in 1996, making it an almost 30-year wait to qualify again.
20:20
Catch the spirit with Stine Oftedal:
20:11
Oops, Katrin Klujber missing a penalty... Seems like Hungary can no longer stay in touch with Norway. They are now six goals behind (28:22) with about 19 minutes left, as the defending European champions stamp their authority on this match.
19:58
Norway slowly but surely gaining control in Debrecen, leading Hungary by four goals now. Katrin Klujber and Henny Reistad duel for the 'top scorer title' in this match; currently both are on five goals.
19:42 RESULT |
_ Switzerland vs Austria 33:27 (18:11)
Strong start for Switzerland into the EHF EURO Cup, with an excelling Mia Emmenegger settling for a perfect 10 from 10! Austria, though, do well in the second half, having lost grip on the game already in the opening stages, despite Ines Ivancok's game-leading 11 goals.
19:36
Team timeout Norway. Thorir Hergeirsson seems not too pleased with proceedings in Hungary so far, as Norway are held to 16:16 with some five minutes left in the opening half. Good stuff!
19:31 RESULTS |
_ North Macedonia vs Azerbaijan 40:17 (23:10)
_ Serbia vs Bulgaria 40:16 (23:8)
_ Croatia vs Greece 32:22 (17:8)
_ Montenegro vs Türkiye 39:23 (16:14)
The night of the big wins for the home teams continues: Just like the first three qualifiers we have seen, the next four also end in double-digit wins for the teams that played on home court.
Fair to say the national record books have been rewritten in several countries tonight!
19:22
Just past the halfway mark in the first half and Norway lead by two in Hungary. No easy game at all for the titleholders, as Hungary are pushed by a loud home crowd in Debrecen.
19:19
A save rate of 91.7%, anyone? Otherworldly...
19:02
Hungary and Norway have started their contest in Debrecen. It is the first real test for Norway since they lifted the EHF EURO trophy in Ljubljana almost 11 months ago.
The EHF EURO Cup has started earlier tonight in St. Gallen, where Switzerland lead neighbours Austria 18:13, with Mia Emmenegger netting nine times already for the hosts.
18:55 RESULT |
_ Czech Republic vs Finland 31:21 (16:13)
The third match has ended, and the third match with a double-digit win for the home team. No record this time, but Czech Republic are off to a solid start of their campaign, with eight goals from Brest Bretagne Handall left back Charlotte Volevová.
18:52
And now for a little bit of fun: Watch how Bosnia and Herzegovina tried to bring in an additional player in their game in Romania:
18:44
Almost time for our featured Highlight Match of the opening day: Hungary host Norway in an appealing clash for the EHF EURO Cup. Both teams are guaranteed of their place at the final tournament – Hungary as co-hosts, Norway as defending champions.
EHF journalist Filip Mishov chatted with Hungary playmaker Petra Vámos for this feature:
17:59 RESULT |
_ Romania vs Bosnia and Herzegovina 49:18 (26:11)
Applause from Cristina Neagu: No better way for Romania to start their qualifiers campaign than a record win for 'most goals'. Neagu had a quick five from five but has not not featured in the entire match as Cristina Laslo with seven becomes the hosts' best shooter today.
17:54
Six o'clock seems a popular time to start a handball game (well, isn't that any time?) as we have four more qualifiers coming up at 18:00 CEST: Croatia vs Greece in group 1; North Macedonia vs Azerbaijan in group 5; and Serbia vs Bulgaria and Montenegro vs Türkiye in group 6.
Remember, EHFTV is your place-to-go to catch any action live!
17:48
Elsewhere, Slovenia truly outscoring Latvia for a 24:11 lead at half-time; Ema Abina with seven goals the most productive scorer in that round 4 game so far.
And Czech Republic just have their nose in front against Finland, but all to play for there.
17:43
This is not just a big win for Romania, it will be their record for 'most goals' in an EHF EURO Qualifier. The previous mark was 44, from a qualifier which they won 44:23 in Portugal in May 2010.
17:27
Romania on their way to a big, big win – with nice, nice goals as well:
16:54
Not unexpected, Romania are off to the better start, leading the Bosnian visitors by 11:6 after 16 minutes. Cristina Neagu with a superb five goals from five shot already!
More qualifiers are about to start now, beginning with Slovenia and Latvia who throw off their qualifier in group 4 at 17:00 CEST.
16:37
We are underway! Elena Dinca has the honour to score the very first goal of the qualifiers, as she gives Romania the lead after 45 seconds against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Remember, all matches are live on EHFTV!
15:45
The final tournament in Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland is still more than 13 months away, but the long road to the Women's EHF EURO 2024 starts here and now!
So, welcome to the live blog for round 1 of the Women's EHF EURO 2024 Qualifiers, and the Women's EHF EURO Cup 2024.
We have got a busy schedule coming up, starting with Romania vs Bosnia and Herzegovina in group 1 at 16:30 CEST, followed by nine more qualifiers plus two EHF EURO Cup matches today. The remaining four qualifiers of round 1 are scheduled for Thursday.
Here is the full schedule for today:
