Austria (AUT)

Austria are back at the Women’s EHF EURO for the first time since 2008. They were regulars in the first eight editions of the championship between 1994 and 2008, played the semi-finals twice, and ended up winning bronze in 1996, but have disappeared from the radar since. Co-hosting the 2024 edition with Hungary and Switzerland brings the vibe of the early EHF EURO years back to Austria, as the team is eager to regain some of the old glory.

They will do so under the guidance of former Dutch international Monique Tijsterman, who was appointed after the Austrian federation and long-term head coach Herbert Müller went separate ways in early 2024. Müller, who was in charge when Austria last played the EHF EURO, had led the team for two decades.

Starting the year of their home EHF EURO with a fresh face on the coaching bench, the team prepares to stage a surprise in preliminary round group E, where neighbours Slovenia and Slovakia as well as record champions Norway make for challenging opposition. Both Slovenia and Norway clearly defeated Austria when they also shared a group at the World Championship a year ago. And Norway proved untouchable again in the Women’s EHF EURO Cup 2024 in February and March, when the reigning European champions eased to two simple victories in Austria’s first two matches under Tijsterman — 43:22 and 39:22, respectively.

Still, the EHF EURO 2024 co-hosts boast talent and quality throughout their squad. Centre back Katarina Pandža has already developed into a leading force at the age of 22; left back Ines Ivancok-Soltic became the EHF EURO Cup top scorer with 37 goals despite Austria losing all six matches; and veteran playmaker Sonja Frey remains a solid backbone of the team, which will be ready to dig deep at the EHF EURO to make their home fans proud.