Spain and Netherlands win gold at Nazaré 2016
Spain and Netherlands are the two teams to win gold at the first Under 16 Beach Handball EURO in Nazaré, also the largest European Beach Handball Championship to date as overall 32 teams took part.
The Spanish men's team beat hosts Portugal 2:1 in the final, while the Dutch women's team beat their Spanish opponents in two straight sets.
Bronze went to Portugal in the women's event as they beat Norway 2:1, in the men's competition Italy secured third place with a 2:0 win against Russia.
All top four finishers from the men's and the women's event have qualified for the IHF U17 World Championship in 2017.
From there, the top three European nations at the World Championship will then qualify to play in the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina as beach handball makes its debut in the competition programme.
In the men's final, played in front of 1,300 spectators, Spain had the better start and took the first set 28:18. However, Portugal fought back and took the second set with a golden goal 23:22.
The shoot-out eventually needed to decide and while two Portuguese players were not able to convert, Spain scored from all their attempts to win 8:6 and the gold medal at Nazaré 2016.
In the women's final the Netherlands dominated their Spanish opponents almost at will in the first set, winning 17:6. Spain were on par in the second set, but the Dutch side still remained more efficient and won the set, the game and the gold medal with a 20:18 in the second set.
All-star teams named
With all medallists being known, the All-star team nominations were the final honours being announced at Nazaré 2016.
In the men's event Jorge Fernandez Arias from Spain was named Most Valuable Player, while Matteo Capuzo from Italy was named best goalkeeper.
Germany's Fynn Hangstein secured himself the top scorer crown courtesy of his 86 points in the tournament, while Poland and Slovakia, who both received only seven suspensions each, received the Fair Play award.
In the women's event Beatriz Sousa from Portugal became MVP, Eli Smørgrav from Norway the best goalkeeper. Women's top scorer was Tirill Solumsmoen with 86 points for Norway.
The Fair Play awards went to Spain and Switzerland (four suspensions each).
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EHF / ts