Sweden win European Open after penalties

The 4,800 spectators in Gothenburg's Scandinavium at the final of the Women's 18 European Open could not have asked for more tension on Friday night as they were treated to game that had all ingredients of a true thriller.

Sweden eventually beat Denmark 34:33 after the game had been all square at the end of each half or final whistle. At the end of the first half the score stood at 10:10, after 60 minutes it was 23:23. The first extra time brought the score to 25:25 before penalties had to decide at 28:28 after the second extra time.

The top scorers for the two teams were Kristina Joergensen for Denmark and Kristin Thorleifsdottir for Sweden with nine goals each.

In the match for third place Norway beat the Netherlands 30:27 - and in that case they did not need extra time to do so.

At the end of the week-long event in Gothenburg, the All-star team of the tournament was also awarded.

Best goalkeeper was Laerke Sofie Soerensen for Denmark, best left wing Ona Pena Veghe for Spain, best left back Ilona di Rocco for France, best centre back Thea Stankiewicz for Sweden, best line player Hulda Spurkland for Norway, best right back Nicoline Noergaard Olsen for Denmark and best right wing Hannah Larsson Sheuer for Sweden.

Sofiia Sinitsyna from Russia was awarded best defender and the prestigious MVP award went to the Netherlands' Dione Hausherr.

Photos: Peter Birgerstam