A method for deblocking filtering of reconstructed image blocks (A, B; 310, 320, 330, 340; 810, 820, 830; 810', 820', 830') of 8x8 pixels, characterized by the steps of: dividing each of a first and a second block that are separated by a first boundary into two four line segments along a line that is perpendicular to said first boundary, judging, for each single pair of adjacent four line segments on both sides of the first boundary, whether to apply a deblocking filter (150; 250; 350a, 350b) to pixels of the respective pair of four line segments adjacent to the first boundary of the first and the second block or not to apply a deblocking filter to any pixels of said pair of four line segments, wherein the judgment is performed for each pair of adjacent four line segments on both sides of the first boundary using sample pixels (1760 1, 1760 2) of only the first and fourth line in said pair of adjacent segments, selecting from a plurality of deblocking filters (150; 250; 350a, 350b) a deblocking filter to be applied to pixels of all lines of said pair of adjacent segments, the lines being perpendicular to the first boundary, in case the judgment is positive for said pair of segments, wherein the step of selecting includes the steps of separately determining a deblocking filter (150; 250; 350a, 350b) based on said first line and a deblocking filter (150; 250; 350a, 350b) based on said fourth line; and selecting for all lines of the pair of segments a single deblocking filter (150; 250; 350a, 350b) in accordance with a predetermined rule based on the results of said separate deblocking filter determinations; and wherein the predetermined rule defines to select a strong filter for all lines of the pair of segments if a strong filter is determined for both of said lines based on which the separate determination is performed, and defines to select a weak filter for all lines of the pair of segments otherwise. dividing each of a first and a second block that are separated by a first boundary into two four line segments along a line that is perpendicular to said first boundary, judging, for each single pair of adjacent four line segments on both sides of the first boundary, whether to apply a deblocking filter (150; 250; 350a, 350b) to pixels of the respective pair of four line segments adjacent to the first boundary of the first and the second block or not to apply a deblocking filter to any pixels of said pair of four line segments, wherein the judgment is performed for each pair of adjacent four line segments on both sides of the first boundary using sample pixels (1760 1, 1760 2) of only the first and fourth line in said pair of adjacent segments, selecting from a plurality of deblocking filters (150; 250; 350a, 350b) a deblocking filter to be applied to pixels of all lines of said pair of adjacent segments, the lines being perpendicular to the first boundary, in case the judgment is positive for said pair of segments, wherein the step of selecting includes the steps of separately determining a deblocking filter (150; 250; 350a, 350b) based on said first line and a deblocking filter (150; 250; 350a, 350b) based on said fourth line; and selecting for all lines of the pair of segments a single deblocking filter (150; 250; 350a, 350b) in accordance with a predetermined rule based on the results of said separate deblocking filter determinations; and wherein the predetermined rule defines to select a strong filter for all lines of the pair of segments if a strong filter is determined for both of said lines based on which the separate determination is performed, and defines to select a weak filter for all lines of the pair of segments otherwise.