National champions of Europe – Men part 1: North-west

Most of the domestic leagues have come to an end and we now approach the draws of the 2016/17 European season. In six parts, the spotlight is shone on each of the national champions and their path to glory. The opening part consists of teams from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Scotland and England.

DENMARK First title for Bjerringbro-Silkeborg

Before a ball was thrown in the finals of the play-off, it was a fact that Denmark would get a new national champion with neither Silkeborg nor Holstebro having won the title before.

Regular season winners Holstebro reached their very first championship final.

As Silkeborg finished lower in the league than Holstebro, Silkeborg started at home, and the EHF Cup quarter-finalists placed one hand on the trophy at Jysk Arena.

After 60 minutes it stood 27:20 for the hosts but, as it turned out four days later, the team from the Lake Highland of Jutland had no reason to feel safe before travelling north-west for the second leg.

On several occasions in the return match Holstebro came within touching distance of Silkeborg´s seven-goal lead.

In a full Gråkjær Arena, Holstebro lead by six goals at 14:8 towards the end of the first half as well as 19:13 and 20:14 after the break.

However, Silkeborg managed to stop the downfall and reduce the deficit to one goal, 26:25 at the final buzzer.

With a 52:46 win on aggregate, Silkeborg lifted their first trophy in the club’s history.

SWEDEN Kristianstad defend their title

Last year, IFK Kristianstad became Swedish champions for the first time in 62 years.

This season, they copied that achievement, winning the championship for the second time in succession and against the same opponent as last year.

The Swedish championship is decided in just the final match, after the quarter and semi-finals are played as a best of five series.

This year, the final was played in the Malmö Arena on Sunday 22. May, and just like last year on Gothenburg, Kristianstad and Alingsås faced each other in the deciding match.

At this point, all similarities stopped.

Whilst last year’s final was a close affair with changing leads and a relatively narrow 28:25 win for Kristianstad, the team under Ola Lindgren left no doubt this time.

With a stunning 18:6 lead at half-time, Kristianstad eliminated any excitement about the result at an early stage and secured a convincing 27:18 win.

NORWAY Arendal win the league again, Elverum the play-off

In Norway, like in Sweden, it was same procedure as last year.

For the second time in succession, ØIF Arendal won the league and could call themselves “Seriemester” – league champions.

Also for the second time in succession, they did not make it in the play-offs.

In fact, Arendal were sent out already in the quarter-finals, and once again, the final was a tussle between Elverum HH and Haslum HK.

Having finished lower than Elverum …

continue reading in source www.eurohandball.com