Slovenia’s women’s handball team beat Belgium to win its first EHF Women’s Handball Euro 2026 qualifying round.
Slovenia defeated Belgium 29-22 (17-8) in the first group of the women’s EHF Euro 2026 qualifying round 3 at Sportna Dvorana Bonifika in Copern, Slovenia on the 15th (local time).
Slovenia finished first in the group with one win (two points), while Belgium started the qualifying round with one loss.
사진 확대 Photo by EHF Women’s Handball Euro 2026 The match between Blovene and Belgium, photo source = Slovene Handball Association
Slovenia showed perfect defensive concentration from the beginning of the game and put pressure on Belgium’s attack. Goalkeeper Maya Vojnovic had a 62% save percentage in the first half alone, tying her opponent to just three goals and making 14 saves throughout the game. Based on this, Slovenia led 14-3 until the 20th minute of the first half, bringing the flow of the game early.
In the attack, Nusa Pegic scored seven goals, Emma Hrvatin scored six, and Ana Abina scored five, leading the team to score.
Despite the absence of Tǰa Stanko, the main left-back and EHF Euro 2024 All-Star team selection player, Slovenia, led by coach Dragan Adzić, won the game completely with a solid defense and quick attack.
Belgium played brilliantly with Nele Antonissen scoring 13 goals alone, but lacked support, and the three goalkeepers were completely behind in offense and defense with only four saves combined.
Slovenia’s left-back Emma Hrvatin told the European Handball Federation, “I was surprised that Belgium was stronger than I thought. In the first half, the defense went well and he continued to score easily with a fastball. In the second half, the flow fell for a while, but in the end, we proved that we are a stronger team,” he said.
Belgium centre-back Nele Antonissen was a bit off since it was his first game at this level, but he is happy with the performance itself. A seven-goal defeat against a strong team would be a proud result. I’m proud of all my colleagues for fighting without giving up until the end,” he said.
[Kim Yongpil, MK Sports Reporter]