Handball-EM
The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris are still a long way away for Austria’s handball players. But the European Championship victory over Hungary on Thursday in Cologne made the dream of the five rings at least a tangible scenario even before the cracker against hosts Germany on Saturday (8.30 p.m., live on ORF1). A place in one of the qualifying tournaments is within reach.
19.01.2024 21.17
Online since yesterday, 9:17 p.m
Even if they “don’t want to deal with it at the moment,” as the sports director of the Austrian Handball Federation (ÖHB), Patrick Fölser, explained on Friday. By moving into the main round of the best twelve teams and the balance in the table, which has now increased to three points, Austria can have realistic hopes of taking part in the qualifying for Paris. Twelve teams will fight there between March 14th and 17th in three groups of four for two tickets each, for a total of six tickets.
Which teams are eligible for this is determined by a complicated system set by the world association IHF. Only in the final EM will it be clear whether it will work out. It also depends on whether Egypt wins the African Championship (which runs until January 27th).
Austria dreams of the European Championship semi-finals
Austria’s handball players want to fulfill their dream of reaching the semi-finals at the European Championships in Germany. On Saturday the Austrians will face Germany and hope for a win.
Iceland, Netherlands and Portugal direct rivals
That would definitely be good for Austria, just as a European Championship title would help for Germany, Sweden, Norway or Hungary. In the final ranking – if the conditions mentioned apply – Austria should leave behind at least two of the trio Iceland, Netherlands and Portugal. These teams are also still involved in the European Championship main round.
As the ÖHB confirmed, they did not apply for one of the qualifying tournaments. “On the one hand, we would have had to apply for it in December, and on the other hand, the requirements would have been difficult to meet,” said Secretary General Bernd Rabenseifner. According to the IHF, the qualification tournaments will be awarded between January 29th and February 4th.
Seedings for World Cup qualification play-offs fixed
The main round entry is not only pleasing with regard to the Olympic Games. The crucial play-off duels in qualifying for the 2025 World Cup in Croatia, Denmark and Norway will take place in June. It is already clear that Austria will be drawn from the first of the two pots, which will be put together according to the European Championship placement. This has significantly increased the likelihood of Austria taking part in the World Cup.
