ehf_25yers_book_webversion

“The ECh is the top-quality event, as
is gradually being reflected in media
acceptance and media presence.
More than 30 countries are reporting
from the ECh here in Croatia – live or
with a time lag. This is more than has
ever been attained in any WCh. After
all, we cannot take any decisions that
go against the markets and hence
against the overall interests of European
handball. For the sport of handball,
the two-year rhythm is a matter
of substance, not just of finances”
ly, a survey among TV stations had had
a major impact, Wiederer reported. As
a result, the EHF made concessions to
the large leagues and umbrella organisations.
The ECh qualification system was
changed to reduce the number of match
dates. When German league representatives
still threatened to boycott the competition,
EHF President Staffan Holmqvist
said: “Being a democratic nation, Germany
will surely respect a clear decision taken
by the Congress.” And this assessment
proved correct.
The motion drafted by the working
group on “European Championships
in the Future” was presented at the 4th
Ordinary EHF Congress in Budapest on
3 and 4 April 1998 and finally adopted
by a large majority. In January 2006, the
Men’s European continental tournament
was held in Croatia as the first one staged
in winter. The women’s national teams
had been playing their European Championships
in December already since
1996. At the same time, the number of
EHF EURO entrants was stepped up from
twelve to 16 teams, but only from 2002
onwards.
The 2nd Men’s EHF EURO in Spain
marked another organisational milestone.
As the Spanish organising committee
had not opted for traditional venues
like Barcelona and Granollers, as indicated
in their bid, but instead chose cities
and halls with less affinity to handball,
spectator attendance, except at matches
featuring the home team, was paltry. As a
consequence, the EHF claimed the right to
veto major changes of this kind in future
events.
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