The analyses take a look at aspects such as how teams are deploying their attack and defence, goalkeeper performance, and the rate of scoring. Examples are illustrated with video clips to help coaches, players and others reading the analyses interpret the findings.
The experts found that across all tournaments, a 6-0 zone defence was the most widely used – although often with a 5-1 defence as a second system.
There were also similarities in the way teams attacked, with crossing against zone defence followed by a transition to wing players common. The experts noted that M20 EHF EURO finalists Spain and Portugal deployed a variety of six versus five attacking styles.
The two EHF EURO tournaments and the M20 EHF Championships saw an attacking efficiency across the board of around 62 per cent. At the M18 EHF Championship in Slovakia, attacking efficiency rose to almost 68 per cent, but attacking efficiency at the M18 EHF Championship in Kosovo was just 59.8 per cent.
The qualitiative analyses of all five tournaments are now available for download (see below).