Montenegro produced one of the surprises of the European Women’s Handball Championship to claim bronze, defeating reigning Olympic champions France in the minor final in Ljubljana 27-25 (after extra time).

Montenegro won bronze at the European Women’s Handball ChampionshipPhoto: Natasa Kupljenik/MI-PRESS / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

Montenegro – bronze of the European Women’s Handball Championship

Montenegro, who qualified in the penultimate act, dramatically defeating Romania (after a match with a lot of refereeing errors), several times led to a three-goal difference in the second half, but the wards of Olivier Krumbholtz made a spectacular comeback (from 17-20 to 21-20).

The score at the end of the 60th minute was 22-22, and the team coached by Boyana Popovych won, leading almost the entire overtime (the tie was only at 23-23).

After convincing victories in all matches of Group C and Main Group II, France lost the most important matches: Norway with a score of 20-28 and Montenegro with a score of 25-27.

The final for the trophy will be played between Norway and Denmark on Sunday at 21:30.

The result of the match Montenegro – France

Final ranking of places 3-16 from CE Handball

3. Montenegro

4. France

5. Sweden

6. The Netherlands

7. Germany

8. Slovenia

9. Spain

10. Croatia

11. Hungary

12. Romania

13. Poland

14. Switzerland

15. Serbia

16. North Macedonia.

Know:

  • The European champion will go directly to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, as well as to the 2023 World Cup. The silver and bronze medalists will also go to the final world tournament next year.
  • It was Romania’s 14th participation in the Women’s Handball European Championship (the “tricolors” finished in 12th place), and the best result was third place in 2010.
  • The overall European champion is Norway, the title won at the 2020 competition (eighth in the record).​