02.12.2012, 11:01
Slovakia, Netherlands and Poland qualify for Play-Offs

Trio remains unbeaten in their respective groups and are just two matches away from the World Championship

Slovakia, Netherlands and Poland qualify for World Championship Play-Offs

After Turkey had made it to the European Play-Offs for the Women’s World Championship 2013 already on Saturday, the three additional group winners were confirmed on Sunday.

In the Groups A and B which were played in a tournament format, the respective hosts took the first ranks: Slovakia and Netherlands.

Both kept their 100 percent record with three victories in three days.

After each of them had beaten Greece and Finland confidently, Slovakia and Switzerland fought for the top spot Group A – and after a thrilling match, Slovakia came through with a 26:24 win.

In contrast to this group, Netherlands outclassed all three opponents, Austria, Slovenia and Israel, clearly in Group B, which had been expected to be much closer.

In the final ranking the Dutch team did not only have six points on their account, but also an impressive goal difference of +40.

Poland qualified for the Play-Offs as clear winner of group C – as the Polish team even remained without a loss after six group matches.

In their final and decisive encounter they left doubt who will progress, as they beat their only remaining rival Belarus 30:22 – and Poland even could have lost by nine goals to finish on top.

Slovakia, Netherlands, Poland and Turkey will know their opponents for the Play-Offs (played in June 2013) on 16 December.

On the final day of the Women’s EHF Euro in Serbia the draw for those eight European duels will take place. Only the eight winners qualify for the 2013 Women’s World Championship in Serbia.

12 of 16 EHF EURO participants, which will not qualify directly for the 2013 tournament will be in the pots together with those four qualification winners.

TEXT: Björn Pazen / ts