The European Women's Handball Championship, which is being held in Switzerland for the first time, begins on Thursday. Here are the most important facts about the event.
28.11.2024, 04:30
28.11.2024, 06:49
SDA
Who will the Swiss women face?
The Swiss women face the Faroe Islands (Friday), Denmark (Sunday) and Croatia (Tuesday) in Group D. In the first match, Norwegian coach Knut Ove Joa's team are the favorites. The two teams have played each other twice so far, with the Swiss winning twice. A win against Denmark would be a sensation. The Scandinavians are one of the absolute top teams in women's handball. They won bronze at this year's Olympic Games in Paris and at the last two World Championships. They reached the final at the European Championships two years ago. The starting position against Croatia is quite open. The unpredictable Eastern Europeans were already an opponent for the Swiss at the last European Championship, where the game ended 26:26.
What does the Swiss team look like?
Eleven of the 18 players in the squad are aged 21 or under. Era Baumann and Seraina Kuratli were both born in 2007. The oldest member of the team is 40-year-old goalkeeper Manuela Brütsch, who has already played 173 international matches. However, 27-year-old Lea Schüpbach is the clear number 1 in the Swiss goal. The team is led by 31-year-old Kerstin Kündig, who returned to fitness in time following a knee operation in September. Half of the team plays abroad, which underlines the development of women's handball in Switzerland.
How often have the Swiss women been involved in major events?
The European Championship two years ago was the first time a Swiss women's handball team took part in international championships. Back then, the 26:26 win against Croatia was the only point the Swiss women gained, and they lost to Hungary (28:33) and Norway (21:38). This time, the chances of reaching the main round are much better. In any case, the form curve is right. The Swiss have won all of their last five games, and all of them against teams that are also taking part in the European Championships.
Where and until when will the games be played?
The 18th European Women's Handball Championship will be held in Switzerland and Austria for the first time. The two countries are bidding together with Hungary. In this country, the games will be played in Basel's St. Jakobshalle, which will host Group D as well as Group C with France, Spain, Poland and Portugal. The matches in the two main round groups will be played in Debrecen and Vienna. The knockout matches will also take place in the Austrian capital. The tournament ends on December 15.
What is the format?
The 24 teams have been divided into six preliminary round groups. The first two teams in each group advance to the main round; the points from the direct encounters are carried forward. The first two teams in the two main round groups reach the semi-finals.
Who are the favorites?
Olympic champions Norway, who are aiming for their third European Championship title in a row and their tenth overall, are the favourites to win the title. The first challenger is world champion France, the defeated Olympic finalists. Behind them lurk Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands.
