Competition Format
- Preliminary Round: 16 teams were divided into four groups. They played each other in a single round robin system, so each team played three matches. A win was worth two points, while a draw was worth one point. The top three teams from each group advanced to the Main Round.
- Main Round: 12 teams were divided in two groups. They played against the teams they didn't play in the Preliminary Round, so each team played 3 matches. All points from the Preliminary Round, except the points gained against the 4th place team in the preliminary group, were carried forward into the Main Round. Same round robin rules applied as in the Preliminary Round. Top 2 teams from each group advanced to the Semifinals, while the third placed team from each group advanced to the 5th–6th Place Play-off.
- Final Round: 6 teams play in the final weekend of the championships. 3rd place teams from the Main Round played in the 5th–6th Place Play-off. Other teams played in the Semi-finals. Losers of the Semi-finals advanced to the 3rd–4th Place Play-off, and winners advanced to the Final.
Read more about this topic: 2010 European Women's Handball Championship
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