The Russian team came to FYR Macedonia without most of the players who won the world championship last year.
Coach Evgenij Trefilov had put together a totally new team and no one had big expectations.
But the Russian's got to the semi-final and in the bronze final they were never threatened by Germany.
Germany was playing without an injured Grit Jurack and were missing their star player.
Irina Poltoratskaya was in particular good form, scoring 8 goals finishing as the match top scorer. A match Russia won 24-21.
Stefainie Melbeck played her match number 200 for Germany and was, together with Sabrina Neukamp, her team's leading scorer with five goals.
Russia have now taken a medal in all championships since 2004.
Germany is still without a medal in the European Championships since the debut tournament in 1994.
Comments following the game
Evgeni Trefilov: “We had to create a young team after the Olympic Games and I have to give a big compliment to this team. They played a very good EURO.”
Armin Emrich: “We are very disappointed for losing both matches over the final weekend. After the defeat against Spain we sat together and we were highly motivated to beat Russia – especially because of our injured player Grit Jurack. But in the first half we didn’t score for 13 minutes. When Clara Woltering made fantastic saves after the break we missed too many chances. All together I’m satisfied with the EURO, as we returned to the elite after our bad tournament in Beijing.”
Clara Woltering: “We are very disappointed. It’s bitter when you play a good tournament in the preliminary and main round, and in the end you lose the most important matches. We had the chances, but we made too many mistakes.”
Stefanie Melbeck: “We hit the post and everything else, but not the goal. With such efficiency you can’t beat Russia.”
Nadine Krause: “A fourth place for me is a big disappointment. We return home without a medal, which is hard to believe. We were beaten by Spain and we wanted to give our very best today, but our offence was too weak.”
Anja Althau: “We lost the most important games. This says everything.”
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