Lithuania make surprise entry to Women's 19 EHF EURO

While the majority of favourites in the Women's 19 EHF EURO 2015 Qualification lived up to their reputation in the tournaments that were played this weekend, Lithuania became the one team to make a suprise entry to the final tournament.

The hosts of the tournament in Group 2 needed a draw in their last match against Czech Republic on Sunday, and a 30:30-tie was exactly what they got after the hotly-contested encounter was a thrilling one until its dying seconds.

Czech Republic had taken a 15:13 lead into half-time and still led 29:28 with three minutes left to play. Brigita Ivanauskaite levelled the game in the 59th minute, and Gerda Trusyte's goal eventually put Lithuania in the driving seat so that a red card for Simona Jaskunaite and a penalty for Czech Republic on the buzzer did not matter any more.

Already on Saturday, Norway had become the first team to qualify from Group 2 after beating Lithuania (30:20) as well as Czech Republic (29:18).

In Group 1 Balkan nations FYR Macedonia, with three wins from three matches, and Montenegro (two wins, one loss) made the cut. Montenegro's Djurdjina Jaukovic was the overall qualification's top scorer with 29 goals.

Romania in Group 3 and Denmark in Group 4 also won all their qualifiers with Serbia and Belarus following them respectively to the final tournament.

In Group 5 France and Portugal shared the spoils, not only in terms of a successful qualification but also on court as the match between the two ended in a 22:22-draw.

Croatia from Group 6, Germany from Group 7 and Hungary from Group 8 complete the line-up for the Women's 19 EHF EURO which will be played in Valencia, Spain from 23 July to 2 August. 

Organisers Spain as well Sweden and Russia, the gold and silver medallists at the Women's 17 EHF EURO 2013, were already qualified.