Austria’s women’s handball team faced a heartbreaking elimination from the Women’s EHF EURO 2024 after a narrow 24-25 defeat to Slovenia in Innsbruck. Despite a strong start and significant support from nearly 3,400 fans, the team fell short of securing a place in the main round. Emotional reactions from players highlighted the disappointment of missing out on their dream of competing in Vienna, with key moments proving pivotal in the closely contested match.
Austria’s Heartbreaking Exit from Women’s EHF EURO 2024
The atmosphere was electric as the Austrian women’s handball team geared up for their pivotal match against Slovenia in the Olympiahalle, Innsbruck. A win would have meant a coveted spot in Vienna, but instead, they faced a disheartening exit from the home EURO2024.
A Rollercoaster Journey Ends in Disappointment
Innsbruck was buzzing with anticipation as the Austrian team aimed for a successful run at the Women’s EHF EURO 2024. Following a strong opening victory over Slovakia, they encountered a setback against Norway. The team was determined to clinch a win against Slovenia in their final match, but fate had other plans, resulting in a narrow 24-25 defeat and their elimination from the tournament.
This loss marked a sorrowful conclusion for Austria, the proud co-host of the Women’s EHF EURO 2024. In their milestone 50th EHF EURO match, victory was essential to secure a place in the main round. Instead, Slovenia celebrated their victory on the court, leaving the Austrian players in tears.
“You dream for years about going to Vienna. To see it slip away like this is indescribable. I feel an emptiness, a mix of anger and sadness,” expressed Johanna Reichert, reflecting the emotional turmoil within the team.
The match began with promise as Austria surged ahead with a three-goal lead. Both teams exhibited tenacious defense, making it challenging to find openings. Slovenia leveled the score at 7-7 in the 19th minute and took their first lead shortly after. Austria fought back, even leading by two at one point, but Slovenia equalized before halftime at 13-13. After the break, Slovenia took a three-goal advantage, but Austria rallied, led by nearly 3,400 enthusiastic fans. Ines Ivancok-Soltic restored Austria’s lead in the 48th minute, yet a late surge by Slovenia shifted the momentum, sealing Austria’s fate with a final score of 25:24.
Team manager Monique Tijsterman acknowledged the team’s defensive performance, stating, “Conceding 25 goals at this level is commendable. However, we struggled in attack. I am deeply disappointed. We aimed for the main round in Vienna and believed we could defeat Slovenia, especially with such fantastic support from our fans.”
Player of the Match, Johanna Reichert, shared her mixed feelings about the accolade. “I would have preferred the ticket to Vienna over this award. We started slowly in the second half but fought hard to come back. In the end, perhaps we lacked a bit of luck. A heartfelt thank you to our amazing fans who made every moment on the court unforgettable.”
Sports director Patrick Fölser emphasized the pride felt across Austria for the team’s efforts. “The players gave their all in a closely contested game where small details made the difference. We hit the post three times and missed a penalty in the last ten minutes—those moments didn’t favor us today. Although we didn’t advance to the main round, our performance showed we deserved it just as much as Slovenia. We will analyze our journey through the EURO with Monique and co-coach Erwin.”