15.03.2018, 09:05 Guide to Women’s EHF EURO 2018 Qualification – Rounds 3 and 4
OVERVIEW: The race to the final tournament in France enters crunch mode, as 10 teams are in with a chance to qualify in the upcoming round
Your guide to Women’s EHF EURO 2018 Qualification – Rounds 3 and 4
The pressure rises as Women’s EHF EURO 2018 Qualification continues, with 10 teams looking at the possibility of clinching their berths at the final tounamnet in round 3 and 4, while others vie for crucial points to remain in contention for France 2018.
10 teams enter round 3 and 4 with the maximum number of points so far, following two wins in their opening qualification matches
Rounds 3 and 4 see a series of double headers between the same opponents, alternating playing home and away
The top two teams in each of the seven playing groups will book a place at the final tournament in France, along with the best third-ranked team
As hosts, newly crowned world champions France are the only side so far assured of passage to the final tournament
All matches will be streamed free and live on ehfTV.com
Defending champions Norway play their first of two matches against Croatia in Zagreb, with the possibility of clinching their berth with two victories in the double-header
Two teams that did not make it past the preliminary round at the previous EHF EURO in 2016 enter their double-header clash as leaders of Group 2: Both Poland and Montenegro sit on the maximum four points
Qualification phase 2 debutants Faroe Islands and Kosovo hope to collect their first points when they meet FYR Macedonia and Belarus, respectively. All four teams are currently on zero points
Fresh from an historic result at the World Championship 2017, which saw them reach the semi-finals for the first time, Sweden take on fellow group 3 leaders Serbia in what is expected to be a thrilling double-header
After a shock loss to Austria in round 2, 2016 Olympic champions Russia face a tough task as they hope for an improved performance against World Championship 2015 bronze medallists Romania
The top scorer of the qualification phase, Spain’s Carmen Martin (18 goals), takes the court in Stuttgart as her team plays their first of two clashes against Germany
Matches at a glance (all times local; linked to ehfTV)
After they surprised Germany with a 26:26 draw in the opening qualification match, Lithuania aim to continue their form as they take on Turkey at home in Kaunas
EHF EURO 2016 silver medallists, the Netherlands, meet Hungary in Györ, where EURO 2016 All-stars Yvette Broch and Nycke Groot play their club handball. The return match will be played three days later in Eindhoven
