Norway win Women's EHF EURO 2014
Norway claimed their sixth EHF EURO title in Budapest on Sunday, defeating Spain 28:25 thanks to a strong second half after trailing by two at half-time.
The first half of the EHF EURO 2014 Final belonged to Spain, but it was Norway that took the title with a strong second period, ending with a score of 28:25 (10:12) that demonstrated why they are the tournament's record winners.
It was Norway's sixth top podium finish in eleven Women's EHF EURO events since 1994. The silver medal for Spain meant a repetition of their success from the EHF EURO 2008 when they reached the final but lost to the same opponents they faced on Sunday in the Papp Laszlo Sportarena: Norway.
The win sees Norway directly qualifying for the nect two major handball events: The Women's World Championship 2015 in Denmark and the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games.
In the match for third place Sweden won their first bronze medal at Women's EHF EURO level and finished on the podium for the second time on this level after they had taken silver at the EHF EURO 2010.
The Scandinavians beat the already dethroned champions from Montenegro in a close battle 25:23 (11:12) thanks to an improvement after the break and seven goals of the once more outstanding Isabelle Gullden.
The Women's EHF EURO 2014 All-star team was also announced on Sunday. It was named as follows
Goalkeeper: Silje Solberg (NOR)
Left wing: Maria Fisker (DEN)
Left back: Cristina Neagu (ROU)
Centre back: Kristina Kristiansen (DEN)
Line player: Heidi Loke (NOR)
Right back: Nora Mörk (NOR)
Right wing: Carmen Martin (ESP)
Best Defence Player: Sabina Jacobsen (SWE)
Most Valuable Player: Isabelle Gullden (SWE)
For more information, statistics, videos and much more visit the Women's EHF EURO 2014 official website
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EHF / ts