The 2017 Women’s
Mediterranean Handball Championship took place in Tunisia from the 26th March
to the 2nd April, the fourth time the country has hosted the competition.
The 12th edition of the tournament,
livestreamed on YouTube, was for female players born in 2000 onwards who
battled it out for glory in the Tazarka and Beni Khiar Sport Halls of the
north-eastern coastal town of Nabeul.
Romania, coached by Ion Ivan, beat the hosts
34:14 in the final of the competition which featured eight teams from around
the sea – five from Europe (ROU, MNE, FRA, ITA, TUR) and three
from Africa (TUN, EGY, ALG). The winners also had further cause to celebrate with
two players in the All-Star Team, including Andreea Popa as best left back and
Daniela Marin as best pivot.
On their way to glory, Romania won a number
of tough games – which are split into three
thirds – most notably against Turkey (27:17), Montenegro (21:8),
France (18:16) and Egypt (23:13).
In the placement matches, Italy beat Algeria
17:12 to finish seventh and Egypt finished fifth after beating Turkey on
penalties following their 17:17 draw in normal time. Montenegro claimed bronze
by beating France 13:12.
The championships are governed by the
Mediterranean Handball Confederation, which was formed back in June 1999 in
Cairo, Egypt, originally as the Mediterranean Handball Association, and with
IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa as their founding President. Original
member countries included ALG, CYP, EGY, GRE, ITA, LBA, MAR, POR, SYR, TUN, TUR
and the former Yugoslavia.
In February 2003 the association changed to
a confederation and an Executive Committee was formed.
The first Women’s Mediterranean Handball Championship took place in Italy
in 2004 then, MNE (2006), FRA (2007), TUR (2008), ITA (2009), CRO (2010), ITA
(2011), ISR (2012), MNE (2013), TUN (2015) and MNE (2016).
FINAL RANKING –
12TH WOMEN’S MEDITERRANEAN HANDBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
1. Romania – ROU
2. Tunisia – TUN
3. Montenegro – MNE
4. France – FRA
5. Egypt – EGY
6. Turkey – TUR
7. Italy – ITA
8. Algeria - ALG
For
further information about the Mediterranean Handball Confederation, please
visit: www.mediterraneanhandballconfederation.org.