Europe's youngest stars take to the court

Just about two weeks before the regular club season throws off again, the focus of the European handball scene will shift to the Polish cities of Gdansk and Gdynia which will host the Women's 17 EHF EURO.

The 16-nation tournament for players born in 1996 and younger throws off on 15 August and will conclude ten days later on 25 August.

Hosts, Poland, were the only team that was directly qualified. The remaining 15 made their way to the final tournament through qualication tournaments which were played in March 2013.

Two years ago, at the Women's 17 EHF EURO in 2011, Russia placed first ahead of Denmark and Norway. All three nations have qualified again.

Group A (including hosts Poland) and Group B (including 2011 silver medallists Denmark) will be played in Gdynia. Group C (including defending champions Russia) and Group D (including 2011 bronze medallists Norway) will be played in Gdansk.

The top two ranked teams of each group qualify for the two main round groups which will consist of four teams each.

The first two teams of the two main round groups then make up the semi-finalists.

All matches can be followed via a live stream.

More information is also available on the event's official website (in Polish and English).

The 2013 Women's 17 EHF EURO is the first event that Poland host in the lead up to the Men's EHF EURO 2016, the European Handball Federation's flagship event.

Next year, in 2014, the country will welcome national teams for the Men's 18 EHF European Championship.