Ukraine's handball team returns to the Euro Championship after a decade-long absence.
The Ukrainian national team has returned to the elite of European handball after a decade and four championships. Following Euro 2014, our team missed the tournaments in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022. Now, the revamped team is bursting onto the Euro stage.
Second Major Tournament in a Row
The Ukrainian national team began its return to the ranks of the strongest in 2023 when it qualified for the World Championship. Prior to this, Ukrainian women's handball had been in a deep crisis for many years. As previously mentioned, the team last competed at Euro in 2014, and at the World Championship in 2009. In handball, European and world championships alternate every two years: even years are for Euro, while odd years are for World Championships.
However, the team's return to the World Championship cannot be deemed successful. While the Ukrainians advanced to the main round, they only won one match in the tournament (against Kazakhstan – 37:24), finishing in 21st place overall. This marked the worst performance in the history of the Ukrainian national team in final tournaments. Previously, the team had participated in the World Championship seven times, and only in the 2001 World Championship, like now, did they win just one game.
Regarding the European Championships, this will be the 12th tournament in the team's history. Ukraine did not miss any Euros from 1994 to 2014, participating in all tournaments during the period of independence. However, from the mid-2010s, a crisis began that continues to this day. Nonetheless, the team has qualified for its second major tournament in a row.
Qualification Challenges
Qualification for the current Euro was made possible by securing 2nd place in a group with Germany, Slovakia, and Israel in the qualifying tournament. According to the qualification regulations, 20 teams advanced to the final tournament. The top 2 from each of the 8 groups, along with the 4 best third-placed teams, qualified. The hosts – Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland, as well as the Euro 2022 champion, Norway, qualified without going through the selection.
In our qualifying group, Germany was the clear favorite, winning all 6 matches. The Ukrainian team lost to the Germans in Wetzlar (31:24) and Heidelberg (43:21). The match in the German city of Heidelberg was nominally considered home for the Ukrainians.
However, in the remaining games, our team faced few problems. The team coached by Yurii Chyzhov defeated Israel twice – 28:27 and 32:28. Both matches were held in the neutral Slovak city of Šaľa. Against Slovakia, the Ukrainians won in Polish Mielec (25:20) and drew in the decisive match in Šaľa – 25:25.
Interestingly, the result of the decisive match was satisfactory for both teams. The teams of Ukraine (2nd place in the final standings) and Slovakia (3rd) qualified for the final stage of the handball Euro.
In a Suboptimal Lineup
Speaking of the lineup, it is worth noting that our team will feature five of the top scorers from the Euro qualifying tournament. These are Tamara Smbatyan (6 games/23 goals), Liliia Horylska (4/19), Karina Soskida (4/14), Valeria Nesterenko (4/11), Andriiana Naumenko (6/10), and Diana Dmytryshyn (2/10).
Unfortunately, there are also losses. Milana Shukal sustained an injury during a European Cup match and will not play for the national team. Additionally, Yevhenia Levchenko will also miss the Euro due to injury. Ultimately, Nadiia Poimanova continues her recovery and will not play. Anastasia Tkach has an injury as well, but the coaching staff is counting on her recovery. The Galychanka player is included in the team list for the Euro. Overall, there are 18 players in the Ukrainian national team. There is also a possibility for additions and substitutions from among the handball players on the extended roster. According to regulations, up to 16 players can be registered for each Euro match.
Among the most experienced players on the team, of course, is Tamara Smbatyan, who also participated in the last Euro for the Ukrainian national team in 2014.
At the same time, the team includes 6 debutants who participated in friendly matches but have not yet played in official games – Maria Polyak, Neteli Minisale, Liubov Rosokha, Sofia Bezrukova, Olha Makarenko, and Anastasia Tkach. Two more players – Valeria Nesterenko and Vanessa Lakatosh – made their official debuts only in the current year, 2024.
The core of the team consists of 9 players who competed in the 2023 World Championship: Yudith Balog, Victoria Saltanyuk, Karina Soskida, Iryna Prokopyak, Andriiana Naumenko, Tamara Smbatyan, Kateryna Kozak, Iryna Kompaniiets, and Karina Kolodyuk.
Advancing to the Main Round
According to the tournament regulations, 24 teams are divided into 6 groups of 4 teams each for the group stage. Based on the results of the group tournament, the top 2 teams from each group will advance to the main round, forming two groups of six. The primary goal for our team now is simply to progress to the second round. However, achieving this will be extremely challenging. Both the Netherlands and the teams from Germany and Iceland are ranked higher. Moreover, the Germans defeated our team decisively in qualifying for the current Euro.
However, the "Olympiahalle" in Innsbruck (Austria) could turn out to be lucky for our team. And the team's coach, Andrii Melnyk, highlights the main advantage of the team:
"Currently, I am very pleased with the psychological state of the team, their mood, their approach, and preparation. The good conditions, the weather, and the mountains – all of this seems to contribute positively to the girls' mood."
While reviewing videos (of Germany's matches), we analyzed the Germans' defensive play. We had a discussion among the athletes and coaches, where we talked about the opponent's weak and strong points. Everyone expressed their views, and we reached certain conclusions, identifying what we could utilize and what would be important in the game. We must ensure we return quickly. They escape very well and play a fast center. We also need to manage our anxiety so that it does not affect us, approaching the game more rationally and calmly.
You can be assured that the physical condition of the Ukrainian national team is very good. One of the areas we are focusing on is psychology. We must not concede in this aspect."
"Fight Until the End, for Every Ball"
In turn, the line player of the Ukrainian national team, Andriiana Naumenko, notes:
Bookmakers Skeptical About Ukraine
Analysts from betting companies are skeptical about the Ukrainian team's chances at this tournament. The odds for the team's victory in the match against Germany are set at 20 to 1. Meanwhile, the odds for the German team are evaluated at 1.01 to 1, with a draw at 28 to 1.
Our chances against Iceland are rated much higher – 2.89, compared to 1.65 for the opponents' victory and 8.30 for a draw. There are currently no bets available for the match Ukraine – Netherlands.
As for the Ukrainian team's overall victory in the tournament, you can bet at an astonishing odds of 500 to 1. Our team is in a group with the lowest odds among 7 teams. The favorites are France (2.40), Norway (2.75), and Denmark (7.00).
Interestingly, Iceland also has the lowest odds for winning the tournament (500), so the Ukrainians could very well compete with these opponents for 3rd place in the group and