Rewind: The 2004 Beach Handball EURO
As we countdown to EHF Beach Handball EURO 2021, we take a look back all previous events in the competition’s rich and colourful history. Today we take a trip to Turkey for the third EHF Beach Handball EURO in 2004 Alanya.
In a nutshell
The third EHF Beach Handball EURO was held in the Turkish beach resort city of Alanya. Since the 1990s the city has been become a hub for hosting beach sports, with beach handball and beach volleyball events held on the city’s beaches.
The competition attracted 15 men’s teams and 15 women’s teams from across the continent with 16 different nations competing across.
Want to know the full list of competitors? Sure you do: Russia, Germany, Turkey, Spain, Ukraine, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia & Montenegro, FYR Macedonia, Norway, Cyprus, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, France and Czech Republic.
From the President
EHF President Tor Lian in his programme notes wrote: “I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the European Handball Federation, to say a big thank you to all those that have played such an active part in the preparations for this event – the Organisers, the Turkish Handball Federation, and the many volunteers who have put in so much time and effort in making this an unforgettable handball treat. Special thanks also go to the local authorities and business partners who has given their utmost support to his event.”
Men’s winners
After winning silver in 2002, Russia stepped up to take their first ever men’s beach handball crown, beating Germany in the final.
The Russians won three of their four matches in the first stage, losing to Serbia and Montenegro, and then won four of their five games in the main round. They then fought back to beat Spain in a gripping semi-final shootout (2:1 – 10:17, 21:16, 7:4).
In the final the Russians were too good for Germany, winning 2:0 (22:10, 16:12) to lift the title and claim gold for the first time.
Hosts Turkey were also on the podium after they defeated reigning champions Spain in the bronze medal match, winning a tense match 2:1 (17:16, 19:22, 7:6).
Women’s winners
It was double delight for Russia as the nation also took the women’s gold medal. The Russian women’s team had extra cause for celebration as they made it back-to-back EURO titles following their win in Spain two years before.
They won five of their six games in the preliminary round and won two of their three matches in the main round.
Their semi-final saw them beat Germany 2:0 (19:12, 18:17) before they overcame Croatia 2:0 (12:11, 19:15) in the final.
Germany, fourth two years before, won the bronze medal, beating Italy in the third-place mach. Hosts Turkey, who were runners-up at the previous EURO, finished in fifth spot.
The best of the best
Eight players were recognised in the All-star Team, with awards for best player, best goalkeeper, best specialist and the topscorer. Recognise anyone?
Men
Best player: Vladimir Poletaev (Russia)
Best goalkeeper: Torrego Gonzalez (Spain)
Best specialist: Kai Bierbaum (Germany)
Topscorer: Cervera Rodriguez – 110 points (Spain)
Women
Best player: Yeliz Ozel (Turkey)
Best goalkeeper: Olga Vorona (Russia)
Best specialist: Elena Barani (Italy)
Topscorer: Natalia Evtoukhova – 121 points (Russia)
