Women's 17 EHF EURO Qualification throws off on Faroe Islands

Handball on the Faroe Islands is a sport of early birds which is why the qualification for the Women's 17 EHF EURO 2015 on the archipelago throws off a week ahead of all other qualification groups.

From Friday to Sunday (13 to 15 March) the hosts' under-17 squad faces the likes of Russia, Czech Republic and Iceland in Group 2 (a live ticker for all matches is available).

The qualification tournaments in Groups 1 as well as 3 to 9 take place from 20 to 22 March.

The last time a Faroe Island younger age category women's national team participated in a European Championship qualification was back in 2001.

However, an under-18 team already participated last year at the Women's European Open in Sweden.

Over the past years Russia's teams have been dominating forces at this age level: In 2009 and 2013 they eventually came second at the respective Women's 17 EHF EURO; in 2011 they even won the competition.

Czech Republic have been a constant participants at Women's 17 EHF EURO events since 2005, while Iceland have not made it to a final tournament at this level yet.

As Group 2 consists of four teams, the top two will eventually qualify for the Women's 17 EHF EURO 2015 in FYR Macedonia which will take place from 13 to 23 August 2015.