The world champions of 2003 will be looking for their first major success at a EURO event. Similarly to other top coaches, the French Olivier Krumbholz also has tremendous experience with his team. He took charge in 1998 and laid down the foundations of a successful squad. The question is how long the brightest stars - Nicolas, Cano, Pecqueux-Rolland and the others - can shine for the French women's team.

The European champions of 2000 always fight for medals at the major tournaments. The team went through changes since the disappointing performance at the 2007 Women's World Championship where the Hungarians ended 8th. Since then János Hajdu took over the coaching responsibilities and the team qualified for the Olympic Games with apparent ease. The Hungarians have a lot of potential with players proving their skills every weekend in the Champions League.

Danish women's handball has always been more successful then men's. However, this trend has changed in recent years and not only due to the spectacular successes of the men. The legendary Jan Pytlick returned to coach the Danish women in 2007 after the national team failed to qualify for the last World Championship and for the Olympic Games in Beijing. Though Pytlick took the team to the EURO2008, the qualification against Turkey was more difficult than anyone would have previously believed. The only 19-year old Line Jörgensen played a major role in the success, which is a reassuring sign for the fans.

Regular EURO participant Romania are back after missing EURO2006 in Sweden. Their best result so far was a fourth place from 2000 when they played on home court, but the Tadici team are back in the elite taking a WCh silver medal in 2005. The Romanian NT, based on Valcea players, are strong candidates even for the final victory in FYR Macedonia. At least their qualification against Iceland was as confident as could be: 24 goals difference in aggregate.