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

Current schedule and results

Your ehfTV live schedule

Wednesday 21 March

Highlights

  • 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)

Thursday 22 March

Highlights

  • 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

Matches at a glance

Round 4 (24/25 March)

Highlights

  • Seven round 4 matches will be played on Saturday 24 March, before the final eight games of the round take place on Sunday 25 March
  • All round 4 matches are the return legs of the double header clashes, with the same team pairings as round 3
  • Teams that reach eight points in this round will be qualified for the final tournament in France

TEXT: Courtney Gahan / ts


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