The 15th European Women's Handball Championship has started

The largest international women's sporting event in our country so far

The best Slovenian woman handball players face the biggest challenge in their sport careers. In the last two years, they have been counting down the days until the start of the European Championship, with the last ten days, when they held the final training camp, passing especially quickly.

"There wouldn't be such a championship as that which starts today in Celje and Ljubljana without fans and supporters. The matches will be watched by some 600 million viewers around the world. This would not be possible without companies such as the insurer Generali, which support such competitions and understands that it is sport that promotes brands and brings them to the end consumer," said Franjo Bobinac, the president of the Handball Federation of Slovenia and honorary president of the organising committee of Women's EHF Euro 2022 at a press conference in Rimske Toplice, and added:

"My wish is that the dream of the members of the Slovenian national team comes true, that they stay connected, patient and believe in each other, and that in years to come they will be able to tell their children, grandchildren and acquaintances how they achieved in Ljubljana in 2022 a result they are very proud of."

Every sporting event, regardless of size and the type of sport, is connected to the natural and social environment in which it takes place. The connection is two-way: the environment affects the event, and the event affects the environment. By implementing the principles of sustainable development, their goal is to actively reduce the harmful and increase the beneficial effects of the event and strive for a positive legacy. They want to use the communication potential of Women's EHF Euro 2022 to raise awareness and promote changes in the conduct of individuals and organisations in the direction of sustainable development.

Women's EHF Euro 2022

Women's EHF Euro 2022

When it comes to the organisation of this year's European Handball Championship, sustainability is not just a word, but action that will serve as a basis for all subsequent organisers of sporting events. "Months ago, we were thinking about how to make the competition different, and we decided that it would be based on two pillars – women's empowerment and sustainable development in the broadest sense of the word. We also try to be different and unique by planting trees," Franjo Bobinac, the president of the Handball Federation of Slovenia, said about the sustainability idea.

This year's European Handball Championship will not just be a sporting event – it will be much more. An important pillar of the entire event will also be empowerment of women in sports and society in general.

"I invite all Slovenians to come and support our national team. They will first play against Denmark, and then against Sweden and Serbia. The Slovenians want to win as many matches as possible and qualify for the main round of the competition, which will take place in the capital. I believe that they, i.e. we, will be successful! The team is poised to reach and exceed all expectations from sport fans, but they will need vocal support. I don't doubt that the Zlatorog Arena will be full, and that the energy of our players will take them to the set goals. I invite sports fans to become part of another inspiring sports story."

As of Tuesday evening, the Slovenian women's national team has been staying in the Rimske Terme Hotel, which hosted a gathering with media representatives. Their first test awaits them in the Zlatorog Arena this Friday, when they will face the three-time European champions Denmark at 6 p.m. The matches with Sweden and Serbia follow with one-day breaks in between.