Preparations begin for 2013 Beach European Championships

Preparations begin for 2013 Beach European Championships

The first steps in the organisation of the 2013 edition of the Younger Age Category and Men’s and Women’s Beach European Championships have been taken, with a meeting between the EHF and hosts of the two events, the Danish Handball Federation.

Venue for the two events is Randers, which will host the YAC Championship from 5 to 7 July and the senior event for men and women from 9 to 14 July 2013.

The age categories for YAC Beach Handball Championships are for boys under 19 (born 1994 and younger) and girls under 19 (born 1994 and younger).

Major boost for Danish beach handball

Plans include the creation of a purpose-built 9,000 m2 beach handball arena, comprising a main arena, two additional side courts and a warm-up court close to the Randers city centre.

The championships, which will be organised with major support from the city of Randers, forms part of the Danish Handball Federation’s ambitious plans to boost the number of beach players in the country from 13,000 to 30,000 over the next three years.

Through the organisation of the two events, the city is also looking to become the “beach handball capital” of Denmark, hosting not only the Beach European Championships but also other events including the European Beach Handball Tour.

Live TV coverage

TV2 Denmark has already been confirmed as the host broadcaster. The station will show all of Denmark’s matches live as well as the semi-finals and finals from the senior championship.

Matches from the main arena and from both events will be streamed live via the official website.The match schedule will see matches played from mid-afternoon late into the night, with all courts floodlit. 

Commenting on the events, Peter Fröschl, EHF Senior Manager responsible for beach handball, said: “We expect the 2013 championships to be a major milestone in the development of beach handball.

“The Danish Handball Federation has a wealth of experience of organising successful major handball events and I am sure that the huge popularity of handball in Denmark will guarantee large crowds watching the action both in Randers and on TV.”

Provisional event schedule:

YAC Beach European Championships

Friday, 5 July 2013
Opening ceremony
Group matches
     
Saturday, 6 July 2013
Group matches    

Sunday, 7 July 2013
Semi-finals, placement matches, finals
Closing ceremony

Men’s and Women’s Beach European Championships

Tuesday, 9 July 2013
Opening Ceremony
Preliminary Round

Wednesday, 10 July 2013 
Preliminary Round

Thursday, 11 July 2013
Preliminary Round

Friday, 12 July 2013
Main Round
Consolation Round

Saturday, 13 July 2013
Main Round
Consolation Round

Sunday, 14 July 2013
Finals
Placement Matches
Closing Ceremony