France to host Women's EHF EURO 2018

The Women’s EHF European Championship will be played in France for the first time in 2018 following a vote of the EHF Congress.

The French Handball Federation has named seven venues, many of which already saw action during the 2001 World Championship and the Women’s World Championship in 2007.

For the preliminary round the federation has listed the Palais des Sports Beaulieu (capacity: 4,900) in Nantes, L'Arena (4,063) in Brest, Acropolis (5,000) and Le Parnasse (4,000) in Nice as their venues of choice.

For the main round the tournament would move to Les Arenes (5,000) in Metz and the Palais des Sports (6,780) in Pau, while the finals would take place in the impressive 14,000-capacity POPB in Paris-Bercy.

The aim of the French Handball Federation is to sell 200,000 tickets for the event and to ensure full arenas. The federation will also use the championship to strengthen the brand of female handball in France.

Information on France's candidature can also be found on www.eurohand2018.info