Two youth-age events, two maiden titles for host nations: The summer of 2018 has so far been a dream for countries organising major international tournaments. After Hungary celebrated their first ever IHF Women’s Junior World Championship title in Debrecen on July 14, Slovenia had the chance to raise a trophy at home as well. The hosts of the Men’s 20 EHF EURO 2018 defeated the 2017 IHF Youth World Championship-winning squad from France in the final on Sunday, bringing an end to a successful event in Celje.

 

Slovenia had previously won three bronze medals (2004, 2010, 2012) and one silver medal (2002) at the Men’s 20 EHF EURO. After waiting six years to make it to the final once more, Slovenia finally left with the gold medal thanks to a 31:30 victory over France in the trophy match.

 

It was not a campaign without challenges for Slovenia, who topped preliminary round Group B with victories over Serbia, Israel and Norway before opening the main round with a defeat to Germany. A victory over Iceland, in the second main round match, was crucial in Slovenia’s second-place finish on the table. Germany topped Group 1, and therefore qualified for the semi-finals alongside Slovenia.

 

Slovenia’s final opponents, France, ranked second in preliminary Group D after losing to Portugal in their first game and beating Hungary and Denmark. Portugal won Group D as they beat all three opponents, and also finished on top of main round Group 2 ahead of France, in second. In the main round, France defeated Croatia and Spain, while Portugal beat Spain but lost decisively to Croatia.

 

Therefore, it was Slovenia, Germany, Portugal and France who proceeded to the semi-finals. Of the semi-finalists, Germany were the only nation to have won the U20 EURO title before (2004, 2006, 2014).

 

Both semi-finals were won by two goals, with France beating Germany 28:26 then Slovenia defeating Portugal 27:25. The bronze-medal match saw Germany take control in the first half and keep Portugal at bay in the second, securing a 29:26 victory after leading 14:11 at half-time.

 

In the final, France had a narrow edge, 16:15, at half-time, but it was Slovenia who finished stronger. The hosts celebrated a 31:30 victory, led by 11 goals from centre back Grega Ocvirk.

 

Those 11 goals took Ocvirk to first place on the top scorer list, with a tally of 57 – one ahead of the MVP of the event, Portugal’s Diogo Silva.

 

The full ranking at the Men’s 20 EHF EURO 2018 is as follows:

 

1. Slovenia

2. France

3. Germany

4. Portugal

5. Spain

6. Croatia

7. Iceland

8. Serbia

9. Norway

10. Sweden

11. Hungary

12. Denmark

13. Israel

14. Romania

15. Russia

16. Poland

More information on the Men’s 20 EHF EURO 2018 can be found on the official EHF website.

 

Photo: Jurij Kodrun