2006 European Women's Handball Championship

The 2006 EHF European Women's Handball Championship was held in Sweden from 7 to 17 December. It was won by Norway after beating Russia 27–24 in the final match.

This championship was also the European qualifying event for 2008 Olympics, and Norway earned a spot at the 2008 Games for being the European champion. If Norway also becomes the 2007 World champion, the 2nd place team will qualify for the Olympics. In addition, the 1 or 2 (if Europe finishes in the top 2 continents at the world championship) best ranked teams in this championship, which are outside top 7 at the world championship, will participate at the Olympic qualifying tournament.

Venues The European Championships will be held in the following cities: Skövde, Skövde Arena (Preliminary Group A) Malmö, Baltiska Hallen (Preliminary Group D) Gothenburg, Scandinavium (Preliminary Group B, Main Group 1) Stockholm, Hovet (Preliminary Group C, Main Group 2, Final Round)

Qualification Country Qualified as Previous appearances in tournament Host 4 (1994, 1996, 2002, 2004) Semifinalist of 2004 European Championship 6 (1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004) Semifinalist of 2004 European Championship 6 (1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004) Semifinalist of 2004 European Championship 6 (1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004) Semifinalist of 2004 European Championship 6 (1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004) Fifth place of 2004 European Championship 6 (1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004) Playoff winner 6 (1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004) Playoff winner 3 (1994, 1996, 2004) Playoff winner 3 (2000, 2002, 2004) Playoff winner 2 (1998, 2000) Playoff winner 2 (1998, 2002) Playoff winner 2 (1996, 1998) Playoff winner 0 (Debut) Playoff winner 2 (2002, 2004) Playoff winner 3 (1998, 2002, 2004) Playoff winner 6 (1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004)

Note: Bold indicates champion for that year. Italic indicates host for that year.

Draw The draw was held on 6 July 2006 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Pot 1 Pot 2 Pot 3 Pot 4

Competition format Preliminary round: 16 teams are divided into four groups. They play each other in a single round robin system, so each team plays three matches. A win is worth two points, while a draw is worth one point. The top three teams from each group advance to the main round. Main round: 12 teams are divided in two groups. They play against the teams they didn't play in the preliminary round, so each team plays 3 matches. All points from the preliminary round, except the points gained against the 4th place team in the preliminary group, are carried forward into the main round. Same round robin rules apply as in the preliminary round. Top 2 teams from each group advance to the Semifinals, while the third placed team from each group advances to the 5th-6th Place Play-off. Final round: 6 teams play in the final weekend of the championships. 3rd place teams from the main round play in the 5th-6th Place Play-off. Other teams play in the semifinals. Losers of the semifinals advance to the 3rd-4th Place Play-off, and winners advance to the Final.

Squads

Preliminary round Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

Main round Group I

Group II

Knockout stage Bracket

Fifth place game

Semifinals

Third place game

Final

Ranking and statistics

Final ranking 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

2006 Women's European Champions NorwayThird Title

Team roster Marit Malm Frafjord, Terese Pedersen, Gro Hammerseng, Kristine Lunde,Marianne Rokne, Katrine Lunde, Else-Marthe Sørlie, Gøril Snorroeggen,Anette Hovind Johansen, Karoline Dyhre Breivang, Kari Aalvik Grimsbø,Ragnhild Aamodt, Anne Kjersti Suvdal, Kari Mette Johansen,Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth, Katja Nyberg and Tonje NøstvoldHead coach: Marit Breivik

All-Star team Goalkeeper: Left wing: Left back: Pivot: Centre back: Right back: Right wing: Best defense player: Most valuable player: Source: EHF

Top goalscorers Rank Name Team Goals Shots % 1 Nadine Krause 58 94 62 2 Karolina Kudłacz 48 79 61 3 Tanja Logwin 45 89 51 4 Gro Hammerseng 41 58 71Kari Mette Johansen 53 77Grit Jurack 89 46 7 Marina Naukovič 40 96 42 8 Ibolya Mehlmann 37 71 52 9 Angélique Spincer 35 71 4910 Susana Fraile 34 68 50Yelena Polenova 64 53 Source: EHF

Top goalkeepers RankNameTeam%SavesShots 1 Inna Suslina 44 71 163 2 Katrine Lunde 42 89 2143 Sabine Englert 41 65 160Katalin Pálinger 99 239 5 Jokelyn Tienstra 38 36 946 Jelena Grubišić 37 32 87Iwona Łącz 49 134 8 Valérie Nicolas 36 92 2559 Louise Bager Due 35 33 94Madeleine Grundström 79 223Karin Mortensen 28 80Rikke Schmidt 23 65 Source: EHF

References