22.04.2014, 10:14
Ten European teams confirm spot at Women's Junior World Championship

REVIEW: Final tournament in Croatia will take place from 28 June to 13 July 2014

Ten European teams confirm spot at Women's Junior World Championship

It was all or nothing for 22 European teams that took to the court over the Easter weekend for the qualification to the Women's Junior World Championship in Croatia from 28 June to 13 July 2014.

With Croatia as hosts, Russia and Hungary as first and second at the Women's 19 EHF EURO and Denmark as the reigning Women's 18 world champions already qualified, there were ten spots left for Europe's national teams.

In Group 1 Norway had no problem qualifying, winning all three matches against Czech Republic, Turkey and Israel. Two wins were enough for Czech Republic to follow Norway suit to the final tournament.

Romania and Slovenia became the two teams to qualify from Group 2. Like Norway, Romania won all their three matches. Slovenia, whose Veronika Leski became the top scorer of all six qualification tournaments with 32 goals, qualified as second ranked team.

Netherlands and Serbia as well as France and Portugal are the teams that qualified from Groups 3 and 4 respectively.

From Groups 5 and 6 only the first ranked team qualified. In the decisive matches for the respective first rank Sweden beat Austria 26:20 in Group 5, while Germany secured qualification with a 23:18 victory against Spain.

The draw for the final tournament will be conducted in Koprivnica on 27 April 2014 at 13:00 hrs.

Koprivnica is the competition's main hosting city where all stages including the final weekend will take place. Additional venues for the World Championship are Dugo Selo, Čakovec and Zagreb.

TEXT: EHF / ts