Austria welcomes Europe's top junior teams

In less than 100 days the Men's 20 EHF EURO throws off in the Austrian cities of Linz and Traun. From 24 July to 3 August this year 16 teams will vie for the European junior handball crown - and on Thursday, 24 April the teams get to know their respective group stage opponents.

At 11:00 hrs (local time) at the Schlössl Pöstlingberg in Linz the final tournament draw takes place. Handball fans from all over the world can follow it with EHF live ticker on eurohandball.com.

Austria as hosts as well as Germany and Sweden as the teams ranked first and second respectively at the Men's 18 EHF EURO 2012 were already qualified.

The remaining 13 squads had to make their was through the hardship of qualification at the beginning of April. Based on these results the teams have been seeded in the following pots:

• Pot 1: Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Spain
• Pot 2: Slovenia, Austria, Switzerland, France
• Pot 3: Serbia, Israel, FYR Macedonia, Slovakia
• Pot 4: Norway, Estonia, Hungary, Belarus

Austria have the right to choose their group, after the teams from Pots 4,3 and 1 have been drawn.

Austrian confidence

But no matter the opponents, optimism reigns in the Austrian camp: "These players are very talented and their attitude is extraordinary," says head coach Roland Marouschek.

"They have the quality to work hard on themselves and that's one of the biggest assets when it comes to professional sport.

"This team is not as strong as it is because we have four 'Players of the Century', but it is as strong as it is because we have 20 players that can play on a fantastic level.

"There is not just one part of the team that is outstanding, but it's the sum of all parts that makes the quality of this team. That's something we never had before in Austria."

Experienced host

The Men's 20 EHF EURO marks the fifth time Austria hosts a major European handball tournament, having previously hosted the Women's 17 EHF EURO 2005, the Men's 20 EHF EURO 2006, the Men's EHF EURO 2010 and the Men's 18 EHF EURO 2012.

For the duration of the upcoming event the Austrian Handball Federation expects 25,000 spectators showing up in Linz and Traun.

For more information also visit the event's official website.

Photos: Austrian Handball Federation