In a thrilling opener for the Women’s EHF EURO 2024, Austria triumphed over Slovakia with a decisive 37:24 victory, matching the record for the largest margin in a European Championship and setting a new high for goals scored in a single match. Key players included Josefine Hanfland and the Ivancok sisters, with Lena Ivancok earning Player of the Match honors. Austria’s next challenge will be against Norway as they aim to maintain their winning momentum.
Austrian Women’s Handball Team Dominates Slovakia in EHF EURO 2024 Opener
In an electrifying start to the Women’s EHF EURO 2024, the Austrian women’s handball national team showcased their skills with a stunning 37:24 victory over Slovakia. This remarkable win not only matched the record for the highest margin of victory in a European Championship but also set a new benchmark for the most goals scored in a single match.
Local Star Shines in Innsbruck
Josefine Hanfland, hailing from Tyrol, emerged as a standout player in the Olympiahalle in Innsbruck, captivating an audience of approximately 2,200 fans. Following the impressive win, she expressed her excitement: “That was super cool and the perfect start to this Euro.” Looking ahead, the Austrian team is set to face Norway, who secured a 33:26 victory against Slovenia in their opening match.
The Austrian team’s victory ties with their previous record of a 32:19 win over Ukraine during the main round of the 2002 EHF EURO. Additionally, they surpassed the former high score of 36:29 against France in December 2004, marking a historic moment in their handball journey.
Key Contributors to the Victory
The Ivancok sisters were pivotal in Austria’s success against Slovakia. Goalkeeper Lena Ivancok and back player Ines Ivancok set the tone early on, with Ines scoring the first three goals, establishing a lead within just four minutes—a lead they never surrendered. With a formidable defense and Lena Ivancok’s remarkable 45.16% save rate, the team surged ahead to a halftime score of 17:11. The second half saw Johanna Reichert match Ines with eight goals, propelling Austria to a commanding 21:11 lead and ultimately sealing the match at 37:24.
Team captain Monique Tijsterman expressed her pride, stating, “I am so proud of the girls. They did really well today. We made a few mistakes in the first half, but we were able to improve continuously.” She emphasized that the victory boosted the team’s confidence, reflecting on their hard work leading up to this championship.
Lena Ivancok, named Player of the Match, shared her exhilaration about playing in front of a home crowd: “This victory gives a lot of confidence. Now it is important that we get a good feeling against Norway to then advance to the main round with a win over Slovenia.”
Ines Ivancok-Soltic added, “It wasn’t easy from the start. It was the first game, and we were all nervous. But we started well and rightfully left the field as winners in the end.”
Upcoming Matches in the Preliminary Round
Here’s a quick overview of the group matches:
- Group A: Sweden, Hungary, North Macedonia, Turkey
- Group B: Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Czech Republic
- Group C: France, Spain, Poland, Portugal
- Group D: Denmark, Switzerland, Croatia, Faroe Islands
- Group E: Norway, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia
- Group F: Netherlands, Germany, Iceland, Ukraine
Match Schedule:
- Austria vs. Slovakia: 37:24
- Norway vs. Austria: Saturday, November 30, 2024, 6:00 PM, Innsbruck, live on ORF SPORT +
- Slovenia vs. Austria: Monday, December 2, 2024, 6:00 PM, Innsbruck, live on ORF 1
Stay tuned for more updates and thrilling handball action!