22.08.2013, 10:26
Semi-finalists confirmed at Women's 17 EHF EURO

Denmark, Sweden, Russia and Portugal will vie for the European crown at the final tournament in Poland

Semi-finalists confirmed at Women's 17 EHF EURO

Russia and Denmark have reached the semi-finals at the Women's 17 EHF EURO in Poland unbeaten.

When the final tournament's main round concluded on Wednesday (21 August), Denmark beat Portugal 38:21 while Russia overcame Norway 35:27.

They are joined in the semi-finals by Portugal and Sweden who finished second respectively in Main Round Group 1 and 2.

All four teams can enjoy a day off, before Denmark face Sweden (18:00 hrs local time) and Russia meet Portugal (20:30 hrs) on Friday.

As neither Russia nor Denmark have lost a single match at the event, it all looks set for a repetition of the 2011 final when Russia narrowly held down Denmark 24:23 in final of the Women's 17 EHF EURO in Czech Republic.

However, Danish coach Flemming Tuborg Larsen takes it one step at a time.

"All the teams are so young that we don't know them all. I actually don't know that much about the Swedish team," he said.

"But we know a lot about the Swedish way to play handball, which is very similar to ours - but we still go home and will analyse some of their videos.

"I expect a close fight, but I also think that we have a fair chance to win."

Follow all matches via a live stream

While all eight teams that reached the main round have already qualified for the 2014 Women's Youth World Championship, the battle for the remaining three European places at the tournament (the first eleven ranked teams from the Women's 17 EHF EURO qualify) continues in the cross matches.

France, Hungary, Germany and Netherlands still have chances as they finished either first or second in the intermediate round.

For an overview of all standings in the main and in the intermediate round click here.

Also become a fan of the European Handball Federation's Women's EHF EURO Facebook page for more photos and to keep up to date with all the latest developments in European women's national team handball.

All matches can be followed via a live stream. More information can also be found on the event's official website.

During the entire tournament photographers Jakub Gucma and Grzegorz Trzpil will be on site to capture the matches' best moments.

TEXT: EHF / ts