Iceland complete perfect run to claim gold

For the first time in the 10-year-history of the Men's European Open 19 the team of Iceland lifted the trophy. The unexpected winners completed a perfect run of seven wins in as many matches at the tournament as they beat the defending champions in this age category and the hosts Sweden in the final 31:29.

Egill Magnusson paved the way for Iceland with ten goals in the final supported by Omar Magnusson with eight. The tournament's MVP Felix Claar scored 11 goals for Sweden in the final in front of 5,800 spectators in the Scandinavium arena in Göteborg.

In the bronze medal game Spain defeated Russia 25:22.

Iceland not only became the fourth nation to win the championship after Germany took the inaugural edition in 2005, Slovenia the 2009 tournament and Sweden the three remaining European Opens, but also had two players in the tournament's All-star team - left wing Hakon Styrmisson and line player Arnar Arnarson.

Portugal's Miguel Martin became the top scorer of the 2015 European Open with 59 goals.

Celebrating their men’s event debut in this anniversary year were the teams from Georgia and Kosovo with former prevailing over the latter in the 15/16 match 31:28.

Once again the European Open took place at the same time as Europe’s largest handball festival, the Partille Cup.

In 2016 the European Open will continue with the Women’s under-18 event.

All-star team:
Goalkeeper: Juan Ledo (Spain)
Left wing:  Hakon Styrmisson (Iceland)
Left back: Eftraim Jerry (Netherlands)
Playmaker: Francisco Castro Pena (Spain)
Pivot: Arnar Arnarson (Iceland)
Right back: Ruslan Dashko (Russia)
Right wing: Francisco Tavares (Portugal)

Top scorer: Miguel Martins (Portugal) – 59
Best defence player: Emil Hansson (Sweden)
Most Valuable Player (MVP): Felix Claar (Sweden)

Find more information on the Men's 19 European Open here.