The Women’s EHF EURO 2024 is reaching its climax, and history is guaranteed to be made once again as all four semi-finalists are nations that have tasted European Championship glory before. While Denmark and Hungary are eager to reclaim the top spot after over two decades, the upcoming matches promise a showdown of handball powerhouses.
The semi-finals in Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle will kick off on Friday with a compelling clash between Hungary and Norway, followed by a high-stakes game between France and Denmark. The winners will then proceed to the final showdown on Sunday, December 15th, to battle for the coveted trophy.
Before the semi-final excitement, Sweden and the Netherlands will compete for fifth place in the tournament, showcasing the depth of talent in European women’s handball.
SEMI-FINAL Showdowns: A Look at Euro Handball History
Hungary vs Norway
Friday 13 December, 17:45 CET, live on EHFTV
This semi-final is a meeting of titans with rich histories in the EHF EURO. Norway’s consistent dominance is evident as they are set to compete in their 14th semi-final out of 16 editions – a testament to their enduring legacy as Euro Past Winners. They are also on a quest for their third consecutive semi-final appearance, highlighting their current strength. Hungary, meanwhile, returns to the semi-final stage after a 12-year wait, marking their first semi-final appearance in any major competition since EHF EURO 2012, where they secured a bronze medal – a reminder of their own past success in the tournament.
Norway boasts an impressive record in EURO semi-finals, remaining undefeated since the inaugural event in 1994. Their semi-final prowess extends to major championships, with 14 wins in 22 semi-finals played at the Olympic Games and World Championships. As the record holders for EURO titles with nine victories, Norway’s pedigree as euro past winners is undeniable. However, Hungary is also among the elite group of five nations to have lifted the EURO trophy, demonstrating their historical significance in the competition.
Interestingly, Norway’s highest-scoring EURO game was against Hungary in the 2004 semi-final, where they triumphed 44-29, showcasing their offensive firepower against this opponent in past encounters. Norway’s overall medal haul is staggering, with 33 medals across major international handball competitions – the most of any national team. In contrast, Hungary has secured 16 medals, with four of them earned at the European Championship, emphasizing the historical strength of both teams in European handball. Norway’s remarkable consistency is further underscored by the fact that their last major tournament without a medal was EHF EURO 2018, highlighting their sustained excellence.
Historically, Norway holds a dominant head-to-head record against Hungary with 20 wins compared to Hungary’s seven. Hungary’s last victory against Norway was at the EHF EURO 2014 on home soil, suggesting a tough challenge ahead. In terms of individual brilliance, Hungarian right back Katrin Klujber enters the semi-finals as the top scorer among the semi-finalist teams with 46 goals. Norway’s Henny Reistad, the MVP of the last EURO, leads her team in scoring with 35 goals, setting up an intriguing scoring battle. Goalkeeping will also be crucial, with Hungary’s Zsófi Szemerey showcasing her shot-stopping abilities with the second-highest save rate among top keepers at 39.22 percent. Petra Vamos from Hungary stands out as a play maker, ranking third in assists with 30, indicating her crucial role in orchestrating Hungary’s attack.
