The winners of the 2009 European Beach Handball Championships have been decided in a full to capacity Larvik Beach Arena.

It was standing room only as over 2500 spectators baked in the 30 degree heat in Larvik’s main court.

WOMEN

Italy won the women’s title, in a tense and thrilling match with the Euro hosts, Norway.

Despite the loud support of the large home crowd, the Italians took the first period with a superb display of beach handball.

The Italian player, Sabrina Porini, outstanding in goal.

Norway took the second period, and the game to a shoot-out, the Italians going on to win in  a dramatic sudden death finish. Final score 2-1 (17-16, 15-16)

Final Rankings

1. ITA - Italy
2. NOR - Norway
3. CRO - Croatia
4. UKR - Ukraine
5. ESP - Spain
6. HUN - Hungary
7. DEN - Denmark
8. SUI - Switzerland
9. POL - Poland
10. SWE - Sweden
11. TUR – Turkey

Download a complete summary of results and rankings from the Women’s European Beach Handball Championships.

MEN

In the men’s final it was the World Champions pitched against the defending European champions, Croatia.

The Croats proved too strong for their Russian counterparts, especially the match’s top scorer, Hrvoje Horvat.
Croatia took the match two sets to zero. Final score 2-0 (24-20, 20-18)

Final rankings

1. CRO - Croatia
2. RUS - Russia
3. HUN – Hungary
4. DEN - Denmark
5. ESP – Spain
6. NOR- Norway
7. TUR – Turkey
8. POL – Poland
9. UKR - Ukraine
10. SUI - Switzerland
11. ITA - Italy
12. SWE - Sweden

Download a complete summary of results and rankings from the Men’s European Beach Handball Championships.