Russia meet Hungary and Sweden face Denmark in semi-finals

Russia became the last team at the Women's 19 EHF EURO in Valencia to suffer a defeat but their 22:23 setback against Montenegro in their last main round match on Wednesday could not stop them on the way to the first place in the M1 group. The winners of the Women's 18 European Open 2014 face Hungary on Friday (18:30 hrs local time), while Sweden take on Denmark (21:00 hrs) in the all-Scandinavian clash in the semi-finals.

After Hungarians successfully completed a close finish in the preliminary round at the expense of France, they did it again in the main round. In the deciding match on Wednesday they pulled a draw with Norway 25:25 and finished ahead of them only courtesy of a better goal difference. The Group D winners Norway were left to play only for the 5-8 ranks despite losing only a single game at the tournament (against Sweden 24:29).

The tournament's hosts Spain forfeited their chance to play for the first medals since 2002 already before their last game in the main round (against Sweden 14:20) and will have to settle with playing in the 5-8 placement round.

After Russia had beaten Denmark to clinch the first place in the M1 group 25:22, the race for the second semi-final berth was decided only in the last day of the main round schedule. The third team of the last year's Women's Youth World Championship Denmark defeated the silver team of 2014 Germany 29:21 and set the all-Scandinavian semi-final with their neighbours.

The championship will continue on Friday 31 July with the cross matches for places 5-16 and the semi-finals.

All matches can be watched live via the Spanish federation's YouTube channel and the event's official website.