Women’s U20 World Championship qualification statement

As a result of interventions by government authorities in Serbia, the EHF has taken the decision not to play the remaining games at the Women’s U20 World Championship qualification tournament in Serbia.

On the first day of the event (23 March 2018) only one match, between Norway and Slovakia, could be played in the event taking place at Belgrade's Kovilovo Sport Center complex.

This match was played behind closed doors, without spectators or media representatives, to ensure the safety of all participants and on the advice of the Serbian police.

The opening match between Serbia and Kosovo could not be played; the EHF subsequently announced the decision to exclude the Serbian team from any further participation in the event due to its failure to play this match - EHF statement.

On Friday evening further communications were received from the Serbian government informing the EHF that the playing of the matches between Kosovo and Norway on Saturday and Kosovo versus Slovakia on Sunday would not be permitted.

As host and organiser of the event, the Handball Federation of Serbia was asked for confirmation that all of the event’s remaining matches could go ahead and the tournament could be played without further issues.

Having received the answer from the Serbian federation that this was not possible, the EHF reached the difficult decision not to play the remaining matches.

Further information on the next steps and rescheduling of the remaining group five qualification matches will be announced, when available, at eurohandball.com.