OVERVIEW: The race to the final tournament in France enters crunch mode, as 10 teams are in with a chance to qualify in the upcoming round
Your guide to Women’s EHF EURO 2018 Qualification – Rounds 3 and 4
The pressure rises as Women’s EHF EURO 2018 Qualification continues, with 10 teams looking at the possibility of clinching their berths at the final tounamnet in round 3 and 4, while others vie for crucial points to remain in contention for France 2018.
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10 teams enter round 3 and 4 with the maximum number of points so far, following two wins in their opening qualification matches
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Rounds 3 and 4 see a series of double headers between the same opponents, alternating playing home and away
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The top two teams in each of the seven playing groups will book a place at the final tournament in France, along with the best third-ranked team
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As hosts, newly crowned world champions France are the only side so far assured of passage to the final tournament
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All matches will be streamed free and live on ehfTV.com
Current schedule and results
Your ehfTV live schedule
Wednesday 21 March
Highlights
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Defending champions Norway play their first of two matches against Croatia in Zagreb, with the possibility of clinching their berth with two victories in the double-header
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Two teams that did not make it past the preliminary round at the previous EHF EURO in 2016 enter their double-header clash as leaders of Group 2: Both Poland and Montenegro sit on the maximum four points
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Qualification phase 2 debutants Faroe Islands and Kosovo hope to collect their first points when they meet FYR Macedonia and Belarus, respectively. All four teams are currently on zero points
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Fresh from an historic result at the World Championship 2017, which saw them reach the semi-finals for the first time, Sweden take on fellow group 3 leaders Serbia in what is expected to be a thrilling double-header
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After a shock loss to Austria in round 2, 2016 Olympic champions Russia face a tough task as they hope for an improved performance against World Championship 2015 bronze medallists Romania
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The top scorer of the qualification phase, Spain’s Carmen Martin (18 goals), takes the court in Stuttgart as her team plays their first of two clashes against Germany
Matches at a glance (all times local; linked to ehfTV)
Thursday 22 March
Highlights
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After they surprised Germany with a 26:26 draw in the opening qualification match, Lithuania aim to continue their form as they take on Turkey at home in Kaunas
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EHF EURO 2016 silver medallists, the Netherlands, meet Hungary in Györ, where EURO 2016 All-stars Yvette Broch and Nycke Groot play their club handball. The return match will be played three days later in Eindhoven
Matches at a glance
Round 4 (24/25 March)
Highlights
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Seven round 4 matches will be played on Saturday 24 March, before the final eight games of the round take place on Sunday 25 March
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All round 4 matches are the return legs of the double header clashes, with the same team pairings as round 3
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Teams that reach eight points in this round will be qualified for the final tournament in France
TEXT:
Courtney Gahan / ts