Digital at heart of Women's EHF EURO 2018 in France

The European Handball Federation and Infront, exclusive media and marketing partner for the EHF EURO events, are set to raise the bar in terms of digital services at the Women’s EHF EURO 2018.

The 2018 edition, to be played from 29 November to 16 December, includes a number of digital activations designed to increase reach and awareness of the tournament, bringing handball fans closer to the action.

This year's competition will welcome 16 teams competing across 17 days of action and supporters not lucky enough to be able to attend games in person can still experience the action online.

Artificial intelligence and a new app

For the first time the EHF will be able to instantly generate and distribute professionally edited videos on a large scale using artificial intelligence with the introduction of start-up WSC Sports. 

This content, along with short-form and behind-the-scenes videos, will also be shared with the new EHF influencer network, expanding the reach beyond EHF's owned channels.

Fans will be able to keep up with the action on the move via the official website (ehf-euro.com) and also with the new Women's EHF EURO 2018 app.

It includes all key information about the tournament, access to live scores, match action and multiple fan engagement tools. The app can be downloaded for Android and iOS.

The result of these initiatives means Infront and the EHF have built an enhanced digital strategy to increase reach and awareness for the tournament.

Reaching more fans

Martin Hausleitner, Secretary General of the European Handball Federation, said: “The Women’s EHF EURO 2018 marks further significant progress in the digital capabilities of the EHF. 

"The introduction of artificial intelligence technology is a first in handball and will enable us to reach and engage many more fans through personalised video content.

"The launch of the new App also provides us with an attractive platform through which to present our top national team competition and enable us to further raise the profile of women’s handball.”

Julien Ternisien, Infront Senior Vice President Summer Sports said: "Our commitment to handball and the EHF was made clear with the extension of our agreement earlier this year to 2030, and we were keen to begin working alongside the federation on taking the sport to the next level as soon as possible.

"This is the first opportunity for us to really show how we want to positively impact the sport and bring the tournament to the fans through both traditional and digital mediums. I'm delighted that we are able to work with the EHF on these exciting initiatives."

Worldwide coverage

Broadcast agreements have been secured with over 65 broadcasters with TV distribution into over 135 countries guaranteed. Infront is also responsible for host broadcasting arrangements at the event.

The key markets covered include: Norway, Sweden and Finland through Nentgroup, France through beIN Sports, Germany through sportdeutschland and Eurosport, Austria through ORF and Denmark through TV2 and TV3. TF1 will also show matches in France.

The EHF’s own OTT platform ehfTV.com will also show every match live and on-demand with full English comment.

Broadening opportunities for sponsors

The increase in reach through traditional and digital media will bring even more exposure to the Women's EHF EURO 2018 partners. 

For the first time at a Women's EHF EURO, LED boards will be available behind each goal, offering a new and dynamic opportunity for sponsors to reach handball fans around the world.

The Official Sponsor line-up includes: engelbert strauss (functional work-wear manufacturer), Gjensidige (insurance group), Grundfos (leading pump manufacturer), Intersport (sporting goods retailer), REMA1000 (supermarket chain) and Unibet (online gambling operator).

Focus on developing women’s handball

The Women’s EHF EURO also offers an opportunity to further promote the women’s game. The event sits at the heart of a special campaign called ‘Handball Inspires Generations’, which launched at the final tournament draw.

The campaign features several top players and has the objective to show and empower female leadership and competence as well as inspire players for top level handball and their post-career within the sport.

On the final weekend there will also be special events focused on women’s handball with the ‘EHF Women’s Handball Convention’ and ‘Grassroots Handball Marketplace’ taking place at the Maison du Handball, the new headquarters of the French Handball Federation.

Where to watch EHF EURO 2018:

Austria - ORF
Belarus - Belarus TV
Bosnia & Herzegovina - RTRS
Brazil - ESPN
Croatia - Planet Sport
Czech Republic - AMC
Denmark - TV2
Denmark - TV3
Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia - All Media Baltics
Finland - Nentgroup
France (+ Monaco, Andorra, Mauritius, Madagascar, French Overseas) - beIN Sports France/TF1
Georgia - Silknet
Germany - sportdeutschland/Eurosport
Hungary - MTVA
Hungary - AMC
Iceland - RUV
Israel - Charlton / Sport 1
FYR Macedonia - TELMA TV
Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Djibouti, Mauritania, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Tunisia, USA, US territories and possessions, Canada, Australia - beIN Montenegro - RTCG
Netherlands - Ziggo
Norway - Nentgroup
Poland - TV Poland
Portugal - Sport TV
Romania - TV Romania
Russia - Match TV
Serbia - RTS
Slovakia - AMC
Slovenia - RTV Slovenija
Spain - TVE 
Sweden - Nentgroup
Turkey - dsmart
Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan - Poverkhnost
Worldwide: ehfTV.com

Note: Broadcaster list is subject to change and additions including sub-licensing agreements in selected territories.