Norway thrashed underdogs Spain 34-21 to add the women's European Championship title to their Olympic crown.

More Stories

• Photos from the final

The match was tight in the early stages, with heavy favourites Norway only narrowly in the lead at half time, but they ran away with it in the second half to seal a resounding victory.

The victory makes it a hat-trick of European Championship wins for Norway, following their triumphs in 2004 and 2006.

Spain - surprise packages of the tournament, having reached their first-ever major final - even led 8-5 after 17 minutes, although Norway soon tightened their defence and surged ahead with a run of five unanswered goals.

Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth scored six times as Norway powered over the line, becoming the top scorer of the tournament with 51 goals ahead of Grit Jurack of Germany, who ended with 46.

Earlier, Russia beat Germany 24-21 in the bronze medal match thanks to eight goals from Irina Poltoratskaya.

The result means Russia have now taken a medal in all championships since 2004.