2008 European Women's Handball Championship
The 2008 EHF European Women's Handball Championship was held in the Republic of Macedonia from 2–14 December, it was won by Norway after beating Spain 34–21 in the final match.
Venues
Two Macedonian cities have been selected as hosts for the 2008 Championship:Competition Format
- Preliminary Round: 16 teams are divided into four groups. They play each other in a single round robin system, so each team plays three matches. A win is worth two points, while a draw is worth one point. The top three teams from each group advance to the [|Main Round].
- Main Round: 12 teams are divided in two groups. They play against the teams they didn't play in the preliminary round, so each team plays 3 matches. All points from the preliminary round, except the points gained against the 4th place team in the preliminary group, are carried forward into the Main Round. Same round robin rules apply as in the preliminary round. Top 2 teams from each group advance to the semifinals, while the third placed team from each group advances to the 5th-6th Place Play-off.
- Final Round: 6 teams play in the final weekend of the championships. 3rd place teams from the Main Round play in the 5th-6th Place Play-off. Other teams play in the semifinals. Losers of the semifinals advance to the 3rd-4th Place Play-off, and winners advance to the Final.
Qualification
;Host Country
- :1998,2000,2006
- :1994,1996,1998,2000,2002,2004,2006
- :1994,1996,1998,2000,2002,2004,2006
- :2000,2002,2004,2006
- :1994,1996,1998,2000,2002,2004,2006
- :1994,1996,1998,2000,2002,2004,2006
Squads
Each nation had to submit an initial squad of 28 players, 12 of them became reserves when the final squad of 16 players was announced on 1 December 2008.Seeding
The draw for the preliminary round groups took place on 20 July 2008, in Ohrid| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 |
Preliminary round
Group A ([Skopje])
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Group B ([Ohrid])
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Group C ([Ohrid])
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Group D ([Skopje])
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Main Round
Top 2 teams from each group advances to the semifinals, while the third placed team from each group will compete in a 5th/6th place play-off.| Team advanced to the [|Semifinals] | |
| Team will compete for the 5th place |
Group I ([Ohrid])
All times are Central European Time----
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Group II ([Skopje])
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Final round
5th/6th Placement Match
Semifinals
----Bronze Match
Final
Ranking and Statistics
Final ranking
Source:| 2008 Women's European Champions Norway 4th title ;Team Roster Ragnhild Aamodt, Isabel Blanco, Karoline Dyhre Breivang, Marit Malm Frafjord, Kari Aalvik Grimsbø, Katrine Lunde Haraldsen, Camilla Herrem, Kari Mette Johansen, Tine Kristiansen, Tonje Larsen, Heidi Løke, Kristine Lunde, Tonje Nøstvold, Terese Pedersen, Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth and Linn Jørum Sulland. Head Coach: Marit Breivik. |
All-Star Team
- Goalkeeper:
- Left wing:
- Left back:
- Pivot:
- Centre back:
- Right back:
- Right wing:
Top Goalkeepers
Source:Top goalscorers
Source:Other awards
- Most Valuable Player:
- Best Defence Player: