Faroe Islands fails with party
Co-favorite Norway makes the next big mistake
January 15, 2024, 10:52 p.m
Defending champion Sweden and world champion Denmark remain on course at the European Handball Championships. Meanwhile, Norway has to cope with the next setback against Slovenia within a few days. Meanwhile, newcomer Faroe Islands fails, but continues to celebrate euphorically.
Also a farewell party: newcomer Faroe Islands said goodbye to the tournament at the European Handball Championships with their heads held high. Group opponents Norway had to accept the next setback, while world champions Denmark and co-favorites Sweden moved into the main round unscathed as group winners. Two days after the sensational draw against the Norwegians (26:26), the island state of the Faroe Islands lost against Poland 28:32 (10:11) in front of 13,321 spectators in the atmospheric Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin – despite outstanding performances from the Bundesliga players Elias Ellefsen a Skipagötu and Hakun West av Teigum.
Playmaker Ellefsen a Skipagötu from record champion THW Kiel scored nine goals for the Faroe Islands and was voted MVP again, West av Teigum from Füchse Berlin even scored ten times. “The tournament was outstanding,” said right winger West av Teigum. “That was our premiere, but hopefully just the beginning. The fans came all the way to Berlin, they are part of the success. I have no words for it.” 5,000 Faroese fans – around ten percent of the entire population – once again transformed the hall into a cauldron, loudly cheering every goal, every parade and successful defensive action. Even after the game ended, they celebrated their heroes for minutes.
Meanwhile, Norway made another mistake, surprisingly losing 27:28 (17:17) against Slovenia and “only” moving into the main round as second. Thanks to the 37:27 (17:15) win in the direct duel for group victory against Portugal, Denmark secured first place in Group F without defeat, as did Sweden after the narrow 29:28 (15:15) win against Portugal Netherlands in Group E. Poland also failed in the preliminary round despite the victory. In the remaining early games, the Czech Republic secured third place in the Denmark group after a 29:20 (15:8) win against Greece. Georgia also achieved the same in the Sweden group in Mannheim with a 22:19 (9:9) win against Bosnia-Herzegovina.