1996 FIRA Women's European Championship
The 1996 FIRA Women's European Championship was the second edition of the Women's European Championship. It saw the debut of Germany and a five-nation event. The competition was initially a three-team two pools system but Russia withdrew a few days before the start. With no time for finding substitutes Pool B was left with only two teams, becoming in a "semi-final" for deciding the final place. The other final place was decided on a three-team pool (Pool A), won by Spain with wins over Netherlands and Germany. On  the competition calendar 5th/6th and 3rd/4th place matches were planned, but with the non participation of Russia a three-team pool was created. Italy played Netherlands and Germany, the results of these games being combined with the earlier match between Netherlands and Germany to decide 3rd-5th places.