The semi-finals of the 2024 Women’s European Championship have arrived. Ola Selby of GoHandball ranks the four teams.
Power rankings are our ranking of which of the teams have been the hottest so far. A team that has lost one game can be considered a better team than a team that has gone undefeated. It’s all about the quality of the teams.
Here are the Power rankings.
1: Norway
Ranking ahead of the European Championship: Bronze.
How could I predict Norway as the bronze medalist for the European Championship? It seems like one of the stupidest things I’ve ever done, and there are many to choose from…
My thought was that Norway is without both Stine Bredal Oftedal and Nora Mörk. Has it been showing? Yes, but I think so. Above all, Norway doesn’t have the same hysterical speed in its attacking game, but rather a more shooting-based one. But that transition has gone very smoothly, and Norway has been the European Championship’s best team so far.
Then it doesn’t hurt that Henny Reistad is completely superior to all other players.
2: France
Ranking ahead of the European Championship: Silver.
Hasn’t played at their extremely high level in any match so far during the European Championship. Yet France has won all the matches, and that says a lot about this team and their capacity.
Another strength of France? They are not dependent on one or two players (as even Norway is). France has no player in the top ten in the scoring league, although Chloe Valentini is just outside in eleventh place.
I’ve mentioned it before, but I’ll say it again: Sébastien Gardillou, what level of tactical knowledge do you have when things get heated in a big and important match? Now, it’s up to you to prove it.
3: Hungary
Ranking ahead of the European Championship: Out in the Main round.
Although they lost the group final to France, they still played a good game. Hungary has been really good so far during the European Championship and seems to have taken another step since the Olympics last summer.
The back court delivers, the wingers deliver, the goalkeepers deliver, and the defense delivers. This means that Hungary could very well take the European Championship bronze medal on Sunday. The disadvantage for Hungary? Now they no longer have the home support – how much of an impact will that have?
4: Denmark
Ranking ahead of the European Championship: Bronze.
Hungary and Denmark are evenly matched, and I realize that I should probably rank Denmark higher, given their performance in recent years. But I think Hungary has looked a bit sharper so far, even though Denmark’s experience in the championship semi-finals is far superior to Hungary’s.
Advantages for Denmark? Anna Kristensen has been ridiculously good in goal. In addition, both Michala Möller and Helena Elver have been brilliant from the back court.