Great Britain's women handball team beat Finland 24-23 in the second leg of their 2010 European Championship pre-qualification encounter in Liverpool.

The hosts, who won the first leg 17-14 in Helsinki, dominated in the first half only for the Finns to hit back.

"It's amazing. It's definitely the best result of a British team ever," said GB head coach Jesper Holmris.

Britain now go forward to the group stages alongside Austria, Iceland and former world champions France.

Britt Goodwin struck seven times for GB at the Echo Arena, with Holly Lam-Moores adding six.

But Finland pulled level at 22-22 with just four minutes remaining thanks to left-back Linda Cainberg.

Nina Heglund and Jeanette Andersen both scored inside the final two minutes to settle the tie.

GB now bid to qualify for the finals, with their first game coming against Austria in Feldkirchen on 14 October.

"We have shown to everyone now that a GB team can get results," added Holmris. "It is the first time a GB team has made a qualifying tournament. We are extremely proud."

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