Familiar powerhouses top pre-EURO power ranking

The teams have entered the last straight in their preparations and just finished a national team week, which saw friendly matches and tournaments taking place throughout Europe.

On the back of these matches and their results, we examine who is hot and who is not before the start of the EHF EURO 2024. As always, these power rankings are subjective opinion of the journalist based on the results and performances shown by the teams in the last months.

8. Switzerland

The co-hosts of the competition made their debut at the EHF EURO in 2022, finishing 14th. They are still looking for their first win in the competition, but have a hugely talented generation, with young players ready to prove their worth.

Hosting a competition of this magnitude will certainly boost their credentials and Switzerland will be buoyed by their performance in the Carpathian Trophy, which took place in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

There, Switzerland secured first place with three wins in three matches: 37:26 against Türkiye, 36:27 against Romania and 27:22 against North Macedonia. Switzerland finished with the same number of points as Brazil, but with a better goal difference, at +25.

Three of Switzerland’s players — Tabea Schmid (24 goals), Daphne Gautschi (20 goals) and Mia Emmenegger (15 goals) — were among the five top scorers in the friendly competition, proving that the co-hosts will be no pushovers when they meet Denmark, Croatia and the Faroe Islands in group D in Basel.

7. Germany

Germany participated in the Golden League along with Norway, the Netherlands and Denmark. The side were once again on a rollercoaster, as they have been in previous major international competitions, with consistency lacking at times in both attack and defence. They started with two good performances — a 30:32 loss against Norway and a 27:23 win against the Netherlands — before an off-match against Denmark.

In the first 15 minutes against Denmark, the silver medallists from the EHF EURO 2022, Germany could only muster four goals and were down by nine at that point. Eventually, they conceded a 19:34 loss, which raises some questions to be answered by Markus Gaugisch and his players.

Nevertheless, Germany are slowly getting to the peak of the current generation, with some younger players, like right back Viola Leuchter, who has impressed in the EHF Champions League Women 2024/25, adding solutions on both sides of the ball. At the EHF EURO 2024, Germany will face the Netherlands again, as well as Iceland and Ukraine, in group F.

6. Netherlands

Perennial contenders over the last years, the Netherlands have not finished lower than sixth place in the last four editions of the EHF EURO, taking that position in 2020 and 2022. There is still plenty of talent in their roster, but new coach Henrik Signell will need time for his ideas to be implemented.

Signell took over from Per Johansson, who resigned after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. His first matches were tough ones, against Germany, Denmark and Norway in the Golden League. The start was good, with a 36:31 win over Denmark, but then the Netherlands conceded two losses — 23:27 against Germany and 25:33 against Norway.

Still, the Netherlands will be a tough team to beat, as they have the experience and the nous to provide a tough fight for any opponent. But their path towards the semi-finals will probably take them through matches against Norway and Denmark, which will be a tough proposition.

5. Hungary

Some of Hungary’s best performances in the history of the EHF EURO have come when they hosted the competition, such as the bronze medal in 2004 and the sixth place in 2014. However, in the past four editions, they finished in double-digit positions three times — 10th in 2020, 11th in 2022 and 12th in 2016.

Now, Hungary will play on their home court, in Debrecen, and have shown improvement in their form, finishing sixth at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. They were one of the youngest teams at Paris 2024, and the young generation are slowly getting more and more experienced. The proposition of playing on their home court will likely improve the morale and the hunger.

During national team week, Hungary played two friendly matches against reigning world champions France. Showing that the co-hosts will be a tough nut to crack, the sides shared the wins — 30:27 for Hungary and 26:22 for France.

4. Sweden

Fifth at the EHF EURO 2022. Fourth at the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship. Fourth at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Each time, Sweden were close to securing a medal, but eventually did not. Will the EHF EURO 2024 finally be the one for the Scandinavian side?

By the look of it, Sweden are once again in top form, having dominated Spain in two friendly matches played in Gävle. Each time, Tomas Axner’s side scored at least 40 goals — 41:28 and 40:24 — showcasing fantastic attacking form as they delivered pitch perfect performances.

The Scandinavian side will face Hungary, North Macedonia and Türkiye in their group, with the match against the co-hosts — their third mutual one in 2024 — appearing the most crucial for the pathway through the competition.

3. Denmark

The Scandinavian side have had a remarkable run of consistency over the last years, taking a medal in the last four major international competitions. However, they have not won a title. The silver medal secured at the EHF EURO 2022, when they conceded a loss in the final against Norway, was the best result.

Denmark have a strong core with fantastic depth in their squad, while coach Jesper Jensen has had plenty of time in the past years to implement his system. Nevertheless, the attack has been lacking at times, in crucial moments, and that was there to be seen at times in their friendly matches in the Golden League last weekend.

First, Denmark lost against the Netherlands, 31:36, with an uncharacteristic lax defensive display, conceding 36 goals. Then, the attack did not peak against Norway, in their 22:26 loss. Eventually, the Scandinavian side got back on track, with a 34:19 win against Germany, where everything worked perfectly.

2. France

Replacing a coach like Olivier Krumbholz, whose leadership was next to none, would be a tough proposition for any team in the world. But France have built a system so strong, so impressive, that they will still be one of the contending teams at the EHF EURO 2024 — the maiden major international competition for Krumbholz’s successor, Sebastian Gardillou.

Gardillou is no stranger to France’s outfit, having served as assistant coach for the last years. The reigning world champions have maintained their core, with stars like Laura Glauser, Grace Zaadi, Orlane Kanor and Sarah Bouktit still in the side. Last week, they shared wins with Hungary in two friendly matches played on their home court — recording a 27:30 loss and a 26:22 victory — but France are still one of the teams to beat in women’s handball right now.

1. Norway

Since coach Thorir Hergeirsson assumed the position of Norway coach, the Scandinavian side have secured 15 medals in major international competitions, clinching the European title five times, in 2010, 2014, 2016, 2020 and 2022. Hergeirsson also oversaw the silver medal secured in Serbia in 2012.

This will be the last major tournament for the Norway coach. The Scandinavian side look set to be one of the favourites to challenge for the gold medal, having retained most of their core, despite not having two superstars at their disposal, after Nora Mørk took a break, while Stine Bredal Oftedal retired after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Last weekend, Norway delivered three wins in the Golden League — 32:30 against Germany, 26:22 against Denmark and 33:25 against the Netherlands — proving once again that they will be one of the teams to beat when the EHF EURO 2024 throws off.

Photos: kolektiff images