The qualifications for the 34th European Championships in Budapest are over! The 2nd leg of the women’s playoffs was played today.
The most exciting match was the game between Germany and Romania, played in Duisburg. Germany defeated Romania after a penalty shootout to secure a ticket for Budapest.
Besides Germany, the teams of Serbia, Croatia, Slovakia, France and Israel have qualified for the Championships. All winners of duels, but Slovakia, played at the previous Championships, held in Barcelona 2018. This will be the Slovak’s 2nd appearance at the European Championships for ladies. Slovakia debuted in Leeds in 1993 and took the last, 12th place.
Women’s European Championships 2020 -Qualifications, play-offs, Leg 2
Germany – Romania 14:11 (1:2, 2:3, 2:2, 5:2, PSO 4:2) – 1st leg 13:14
Germany: Fry 3 (+1 PSO), Stiefel 3,I. Deike 2 (+ 1 PSO), G. Dieke 1 (+1)., Eggert 1, Vosseberg 1 PSO.
Romania: Szeghalmi 4 (+1), Mihaila 4, Toth 1, Pilica 1 PSO.
Switzerland – Israel 10:16 (3:4, 3:3, 2:5, 2:4) – 1st leg 6:13
Switzerland: Kohli 3, Kratzer 2, De Feo 2, D. Carballo 1, Trynes , C. Carballo 1.
Israel: Strugo 6, Bogachenkko 5, Hochberg 3, Regev 1, Tal 1.
Serbia – Czech Republic 19:8 (3:2, 5:1, 5:1, 6:4) – 1st leg 25:6
Serbia: Vukovic 5, Pantovic 4, Mandic 4, Cegar 1, Rudic 1, Gluscevic 1, Milicevic 1, Miladinovic 1, Jakovljevic 1.
Czech Republic: Busauerova 4, Hlavata 3, Javurkova 1.
Croatia – Portugal 8:5 (3:3, 2:0, 1:1, 2:1)– 1st leg 14:13
Croatia: D. Butic 3, Miljkovic 2, Miroslavic 1, Carevic 1, I. Butic 1.
Portugal: Lousa 2, Machado 2, Braga 1.
Ukraine – France 6:13 (0:5, 1:4, 2:1, 3:3)– 1st leg 1:20
Ukraine: Melenychuk 3, Aboimova 1, Telypko 1, Shvedova 1.
France: Millot 4, Daulle 4, Battu 2, Dhalluin 2, Radosavljevic 1.
Turkey – Slovakia 9:16 (3:3, 2:5, 1:5, 3:3) – 1st leg 9:19
Turkey: Kus 5, Elma 2, Cengiz 1, Burali 1.
Slovakia: K Kissova 3, Kovacikova 2, Peckova 2, Kolarova 2, Stankovianska 2, Katlovska 2, Garancovska 1, Kurucova 1, Junasova 1.
Romania earned a slim 1-goal advantage (14:13) in the first match against Germany, played in Foscani. Germany was a favourite in today’s game, but the Romanians stunned the hosts with an opening 4:1 lead. Romania controlled the match and had a 7:5 advantage before the 4th quarter. But Germany was able to come back. The home team took its first lead in the match (9:8) with 93 seconds to go. Romania replied immediately – Kristina Szeghalmi netted her 4th goal this evening to equalise (9:9). However, a big thriller wasn’t over yet. Just 16 seconds before the last buzzer, Germany’s Jennifer Stiefel found the net for 10:9 and the hosts secured a penalty shootout. Germany was successful in the series of penalties and celebrated a 14:11 victory.
There were no surprises in other matches. Teams which recorded wins in the 1st leg two weeks ago beat their respective rivals again and advanced to the 34th European Championships.
Groups at the 34th European Championships
Group A
Slovakia, Hungary, Greece , Serbia, Croatia, Russia.
Group B
Germany, Netherlands , France, Spain, Israel , Italy.
Rankings at the previous European Championships (Barcelona 2018): 1. Netherlands, 2. Greece, 3. Spain, 4. Hungary, 5. Russia, 6. Italy, 7. France, 8. Germany, 9. Serbia, 10. Israel, 11. Croatia, 12. Turkey.
