Stellar Swiss performance secures W17 EHF Championship victory

Switzerland have won the Women’s EHF 17 Championship in Georgia after a strong final in which they beat Serbia 35:27. Ukraine earlier took the bronze medal with a win against Lithuania.

Serbia started more strongly but Switzerland were never far behind. When Celia Heinzer equalised with 18 minutes played to bring the score to 11:11 it seemed to galvanise her team, and they were soon ahead 13:11.

They kept the lead for the rest of the half, at times extending it to four goals, and Switzerland held a 19:16 advantage going into the break.

Serbia kept fighting when the match resumed, and their efforts paid off when Aleksandra Krstic equalised in the twelfth minute of the second half.

But Switzerland were able to quickly take the lead once more and then confirmed their strength, stretching out to a commanding six-goal advantage with less than 10 minutes left on the clock.

That was enough to secure their win, but the Swiss kept pressing and by the time Tabea Schmid netted inside the last minute there was no doubt left. Switzerland won 35:27, earning themselves a place at the Women’s 17 EHF EURO 2021, the Women’s 19 EHF EURO 2021, and the Women’s Under-18 World Championship 2020.

Placement matches

Earlier in the day, Ukraine won bronze after beating Lithuania 30:22. The match was close for 30 minutes. Lithuania had the early advantage before Ukraine picked up the pace to lead 13:11 at the break.

In the second half Ukraine started more strongly, consolidating their advantage before moving into an unassailable lead thanks largely to right wing Diana Dmytryshyn, who scored 11 times.

The other placement matches were also comfortable affairs for the winners. The Faroe Islands beat the hosts, Georgia, 30:16 to take fifth place. Greece triumphed over Finland 35:17 for seventh, while Bulgaria beat Latvia 33:24 on Saturday for ninth place.

Women’s 17 EHF Championship Georgia All-star team

Goalkeeper: Soraya Schaller (SUI)
Left wing: Ana Chkhaidze (GEO)
Left back: Milica Pap (SRB)
Centre back: Jana Mittun (FAR)
Line player: Deborah Annen (SUI)
Right back: Malin Altherr (SUI)
Right wing: Diana Dmytryshyn (UKR)
Best defence player: Marija Ilic (SRB)
Best player of the tournament: Aleksandra Krstic (SRB)
Top scorer: Mari Tomova (BUL, 55 goals)

Final standings

1. Switzerland
2. Serbia
3. Ukraine
4. Lithuania
5. Faroe Islands
6. Georgia
7. Greece
8. Finland
9. Bulgaria
10. Latvia