2008 European Women's Handball Championship

The 2008 EHF European Women's Handball Championship was held in the Republic of Macedonia from 2–14 December, it was won by Norway after beating Spain 34–21 in the final match.

Venues

Two Macedonian cities have been selected as hosts for the 2008 Championship:

File:Shy venus statue skopje.jpg, File:Archäologisches Museum von Mazedonien (Skopje).jpg Template:FlagiconSkopje	File:Samuil's Fortress in Ohrid (Самуилова тврђава у Охриду).jpg Template:Flagicon Ohrid
File:Trajkovskiarena-side.JPG	File:Sala Biljanini Izvori.jpg
Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena Capacity: 10,000	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall Capacity: 5,000

Qualification

In total, 16 national teams qualified for the final tournament:

Host Country

1. Template:Hbw (3) :1998,2000,2006

Qualified from the 2006 European Championship

1. Template:Hbw (7) :1994,1996,1998,2000,2002,2004,2006 (Defending Champions)
2. Template:Hbw (7) :1994,1996,1998,2000,2002,2004,2006
3. Template:Hbw (4) :2000,2002,2004,2006
4. Template:Hbw (7) :1994,1996,1998,2000,2002,2004,2006
5. Template:Hbw (7) :1994,1996,1998,2000,2002,2004,2006

Qualified from play-offs

Team 1	Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score	Team 2	1st leg	2nd leg
Template:Hbw-rt	51–58	Template:Hbw	27–28	24–30
Template:Hbw-rt	53–65	Template:Hbw	27–29	26–36
Template:Hbw-rt	54–49	Template:Hbw	24–19	30–30
Template:Hbw-rt	61–63	Template:Hbw	37–28	24–35
Template:Hbw-rt	63–66	Template:Hbw	40–35	23–31
Template:Hbw-rt	46–70	Template:Hbw	23–37	23–33
Template:Hbw-rt	54–50	Template:Hbw	29–25	25–25
Template:Hbw-rt	54–44	Template:Hbw	25–19	29–25
Template:Hbw-rt	44–45	Template:Hbw	25–24	19–21
Template:Hbw-rt	52–54	Template:Hbw	24–23	28–31

Squads

Each nation had to submit an initial squad of 28 players, 12 of them became reserves when the final squad of 16 players was announced on 1 December 2008.

Seeding

The draw for the preliminary round groups took place on 20 July 2008, in Ohrid.

Pot 1	Pot 2	Pot 3	Pot 4
Template:Hbw Template:Hbw Template:Hbw Template:Hbw	Template:Hbw Template:Hbw Template:Hbw Template:Hbw	Template:Hbw Template:Hbw Template:Hbw Template:Hbw	Template:Hbw Template:Hbw Template:Hbw Template:Hbw

Format

• Preliminary Round: 16 teams are divided into four groups. They play each other in a single round robin system, so each team plays three matches. A win is worth two points, while a draw is worth one point. The top three teams from each group advance to the Main Round.
• Main Round: 12 teams are divided in two groups. They play against the teams they didn't play in the preliminary round, so each team plays 3 matches. All points from the preliminary round, except the points gained against the 4th place team in the preliminary group, are carried forward into the Main Round. Same round robin rules apply as in the preliminary round. Top 2 teams from each group advance to the semifinals, while the third placed team from each group advances to the 5th-6th Place Play-off.
• Final Round: 6 teams play in the final weekend of the championships. 3rd place teams from the Main Round play in the 5th-6th Place Play-off. Other teams play in the semifinals. Losers of the semifinals advance to the 3rd-4th Place Play-off, and winners advance to the Final.

Preliminary round

All times are local (UTC+1).

Group A

3 December 18:15	Template:Hbw-rt	21–27	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 1,000 Referees:
	Görbicz 5	[Report Report]	Lecușanu, Manea, Neagu 5

3 December 20:15	Template:Hbw-rt	23–24	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 800 Referees:
	Spincer 6	[Report Report]	Aaen 7

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5 December 18:15	Template:Hbw-rt	30–25	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 700 Referees:
	Ardean-Elisei 8	[Report Report]	Dembélé, Limal 4

5 December 20:15	Template:Hbw-rt	26–26	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 1,000 Referees:
	Skov 6	[Report Report]	Görbicz 10

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7 December 18:15	Template:Hbw-rt	26–29	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 600 Referees:
	Kamto N'jitam 7	[Report Report]	Görbicz 9

7 December 20:15	Template:Hbw-rt	25–27	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 1,000 Referees:
	Møller, Skov 5	[Report Report]	Lecușanu 9

Group B

3 December 17:15	Template:Hbw-rt	24–38	Template:Hbw	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall, Ohrid Attendance: 500 Referees:
	Barbosa 9	[Report Report]	Nikolayenko 9

3 December 19:15	Template:Hbw-rt	21–21	Template:Hbw	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall, Ohrid Attendance: 1,000 Referees:
	Riegelhuth 5	[Report Report]	Mangué 6

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5 December 17:15	Template:Hbw-rt	29–24	Template:Hbw	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall, Ohrid Attendance: 500 Referees:
	Pinedo, Mangué 7	[Report Report]	Barbosa 11

5 December 19:15	Template:Hbw-rt	20–33	Template:Hbw	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall, Ohrid Attendance: 1,000 Referees:
	Pidpalova, Nikolayenko 5	[Report Report]	Larsen 7

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7 December 17:15	Template:Hbw-rt	24–24	Template:Hbw	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall, Ohrid Attendance: 1,000 Referees:
	Beatriz 7	[Report Report]	Shymkute 8

7 December 19:15	Template:Hbw-rt	34–19	Template:Hbw	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall, Ohrid Attendance: 1,200 Referees:
	Riegelhuth 9	[Report Report]	Barbosa 6

Group C

2 December 18:15	Template:Hbw-rt	21–21	Template:Hbw	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall, Ohrid Attendance: 1,000 Referees:
	Ahlm, Utković 4	(13–7)	Kurchankova 6
		[Report Report]

2 December 20:15	Template:Hbw-rt	31–22	Template:Hbw	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall, Ohrid Attendance: 1,000 Referees:
	three players 5	(13–10)	Engel 8
	3×Template:Yel 2×Template:2min	[Report Report]	4×Template:Yel 2×Template:2min

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4 December 18:15	Template:Hbw-rt	10–24	Template:Hbw	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall, Ohrid Attendance: 500 Referees:
	Engel 4	(5–11)	Ahlm 5
		[Report Report]

4 December 20:15	Template:Hbw-rt	25–29	Template:Hbw	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall, Ohrid Attendance: 700 Referees:
	Mahilina 5	(12–18)	three players 4
	3×Template:Yel 5×Template:2min 1×Red card	[Report Report]	3×Template:Yel 4×Template:2min

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6 December 18:15	Template:Hbw-rt	19–19	Template:Hbw	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall, Ohrid Attendance: 1,500 Referees:
	Polenova 4	(12–18)	Ahlm 6
	4×Template:Yel 2×Template:2min	[Report Report]	2×Template:Yel 1×Template:2min

6 December 20:15	Template:Hbw-rt	21–31	Template:Hbw	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall, Ohrid Attendance: 800 Referees:
	Aćimović 7	(12–14)	Mahilina 6
		[Report Report]

Group D

2 December 17:45	Template:Hbw-rt	30–26	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 2,000 Referees:
	Golubić, Penezić 7	[Report Report]	Lekić 9

2 December 20:15	Template:Hbw-rt	25–22	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 4,500 Referees:
	Krause 11	[Report Report]	Portjanko 8

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4 December 18:15	Template:Hbw-rt	31–32	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 3,500 Referees:
	Lekić 8	[Report Report]	Jurack 8

4 December 20:15	Template:Hbw-rt	31–29	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 6,000 Referees:
	Kresoja, Portjanko 8	[Report Report]	Franić 7

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6 December 18:15	Template:Hbw-rt	32–27	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 1,000 Referees:
	Walzik 10	[Report Report]	Arslanagić 8

6 December 20:15	Template:Hbw-rt	31–30	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 6,000 Referees:
	Todorovska 8	[Report Report]	Lekić 7

Main round

Group I

9 December 16:15	Template:Hbw-rt	26–24	Template:Hbw	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall, Ohrid Attendance: 700 Referees:
	Görbicz 10	[Report Report]	Shymkute 11

9 December 18:15	Template:Hbw-rt	18–26	Template:Hbw	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall, Ohrid Attendance: 1,100 Referees:
	Ardean-Elisei 7	[Report Report]	Aguilar 6

9 December 20:15	Template:Hbw-rt	19–31	Template:Hbw	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall, Ohrid Attendance: 1,500 Referees:
	Troelsen 5	[Report Report]	Riegelhuth 9

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10 December 16:15	Template:Hbw-rt	40–32	Template:Hbw	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall, Ohrid Attendance: 700 Referees:
	Lecușanu 10	[Report Report]	Pidpalova 11

10 December 18:15	Template:Hbw-rt	20–34	Template:Hbw	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall, Ohrid Attendance: 1,000 Referees:
	Bulath, Sopronyi 4	[Report Report]	Lunde 7

10 December 20:15	Template:Hbw-rt	26–23	Template:Hbw	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall, Ohrid Attendance: 700 Referees:
	Aaen 8	[Report Report]	Mangué 10

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11 December 16:15	Template:Hbw-rt	21–23	Template:Hbw	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall, Ohrid Attendance: 1,100 Referees:
	Görbicz, Vérten 4	[Report Report]	Mangué 7

11 December 18:15	Template:Hbw-rt	25–30	Template:Hbw	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall, Ohrid Attendance: 1,200 Referees:
	Skov 6	[Report Report]	Managarova, Sheyenko 6

11 December 20:15	Template:Hbw-rt	31–37	Template:Hbw	Biljanini Izvori Sports Hall, Ohrid Attendance: 1,500 Referees:
	Neagu 7	[Report Report]	Riegelhuth 7

Group II

8 December 16:15	Template:Hbw-rt	35–43	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 600 Referees:
	Platanovich 9	[Report Report]	Golubić 12

8 December 18:15	Template:Hbw-rt	22–33	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 2,000 Referees:
	Boson 6	[Report Report]	Jurack 10

8 December 20:15	Template:Hbw-rt	43–24	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 6,000 Referees:
	Levina 7	(15–12)	Todorovska 5
	2×Template:Yel 4×Template:2min	[Report Report]	4×Template:Yel 3×Template:2min

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10 December 16:15	Template:Hbw-rt	24–21	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 500 Referees:
	Khmyrova 5	(11–10)	Franić 8
	3×Template:Yel 3×Template:2min 1×Red card	[Report Report]	3×Template:Yel

10 December 18:15	Template:Hbw-rt	24–23	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 6,000 Referees:
	Ahlm 8	[Report Report]	Todorovska 10

10 December 20:15	Template:Hbw-rt	28–28	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 200 Referees:
	Kurchankova 8	[Report Report]	Neukamp 6

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11 December 16:15	Template:Hbw-rt	24–29	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 300 Referees:
	Flognman 4	[Report Report]	Arslanagić 7

11 December 18:15	Template:Hbw-rt	22–27	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 1,000 Referees:
	Khmyrova, Turey 6	(12–14)	Jurack, Loerper 7
	2×Template:Yel 2×Template:2min	[Report Report]	2×Template:Yel 2×Template:2min

11 December 20:15	Template:Hbw-rt	24–29	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 6,000 Referees:
	Artsiukhovich 5	[Report Report]	Todorovska 7

Final round

Fifth place game

13 December 11:30	Template:Hbw-rt	36–33 (ET)	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 500 Referees:
	Amariei 7	(17–15)	Arslanagić, Horvat 7
	2×Template:Yel 3×Template:2min	[Report Report]	3×Template:Yel 1×Template:2min
	FT: 29–29 ET: 7–4

Semifinals

13 December 14:00	Template:Hbw-rt	32–29	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 1,000 Referees:
	Garmendia 8	(12–13)	Jurack 9
	3×Template:Yel 4×Template:2min	[Report Report]	3×Template:Yel 1×Template:2min

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13 December 16:30	Template:Hbw-rt	24–18	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 1,800 Referees:
	Riegelhuth 5	(12–7)	Poltoratskaya, Turey 4
	3×Template:Yel 3×Template:2min	[Report Report]	3×Template:Yel 3×Template:2min

Third place game

14 December 14:00	Template:Hbw-rt	24–21	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 2,300 Referees:
	Poltoratskaya 8	(17–11)	Melbeck 6
	4×Template:Yel 2×Template:2min	[Report Report]	2×Template:Yel 1×Template:2min

Final

14 December 16:30	Template:Hbw-rt	34–21	Template:Hbw	Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena, Skopje Attendance: 5,000 Referees:
	Nøstvold 7	(13–12)	Fernández, Mangué 4
	3×Template:Yel 2×Template:2min	[Report Report]	4×Template:Yel 4×Template:2min

Ranking and statistics

Final ranking

File:Gold medal icon.svg	Template:Hbw
File:Silver medal icon.svg	Template:Hbw
File:Bronze medal icon.svg	Template:Hbw
4	Template:Hbw
5	Template:Hbw
6	Template:Hbw
7	Template:Hbw
8	Template:Hbw
9	Template:Hbw
10	Template:Hbw
11	Template:Hbw
12	Template:Hbw
13	Template:Hbw
14	Template:Hbw
15	Template:Hbw
16	Template:Hbw

Source: EuroHandball.com

2008 Women's European Champions Norway Norway 4th title Team roster Ragnhild Aamodt, Isabel Blanco, Karoline Dyhre Breivang, Marit Malm Frafjord, Kari Aalvik Grimsbø, Katrine Lunde Haraldsen, Camilla Herrem, Kari Mette Johansen, Tine Kristiansen, Tonje Larsen, Heidi Løke, Kristine Lunde, Tonje Nøstvold, Terese Pedersen, Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth and Linn Jørum Sulland. Head coach: Marit Breivik.

All-Star Team

• Goalkeeper: Template:Flagathlete
• Left wing: Template:Flagathlete
• Left back: Template:Flagathlete
• Pivot: Template:Flagathlete
• Centre back: Template:Flagathlete
• Right back: Template:Flagathlete
• Right wing: Template:Flagathlete
• Best defence player: Template:Flagathlete
• Most valuable player: Template:Flagathlete

Chosen by team officials and EHF experts: EHF-Euro.com

Top goalscorers

Rank	Name	Team	Goals	Shots	%
1	Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth	Template:Hbw	51	77	66%
2	Grit Jurack	Template:Hbw	46	88	52%
3	Marta Mangué	Template:Hbw	43	84	51%
4	Anita Görbicz	Template:Hbw	39	79	49%
5	Natalija Todorovska	Template:Hbw	38	55	69%
6	Andrea Penezić	Template:Hbw	37	69	54%
	Valentina Ardean-Elisei	Template:Hbw		60	62%
8	Dijana Golubić	Template:Hbw	33	53	62%
	Julija Portjanko	Template:Hbw		71	46%
10	Kristina Franić	Template:Hbw	32	50	64%

Source: EHF

Top goalkeepers

(minimum 20% of total shots received by team)

Rank	Name	Team	%	Saves	Shots
1	Katrine Lunde Haraldsen	Template:Hbw	47	88	187
2	Clara Woltering	Template:Hbw	44	79	178
3	Madeleine Grundström	Template:Hbw	43	74	172
	Anna Sedoykina	Template:Hbw		72	166
5	Inna Suslina	Template:Hbw	41	62	151
6	Amandine Leynaud	Template:Hbw	38	41	109
7	Luminiţa Dinu	Template:Hbw	37	98	265
8	Jelena Grubišić	Template:Hbw	36	68	189
	Iryna Honcharova	Template:Hbw		42	117
	Terese Pedersen	Template:Hbw		29	80

Source: EHF-Euro.com

External links

• European Handball Federation
• 8th Women's Handball European Championship 2008 in the Republic of Macedonia
• EHF Women's EURO 2008