European Championship (EU) 2028/29

The European Men’s Handball Championship, known as the EHF EURO, serves as the premier regional tournament for senior men’s national teams. Organised by the European Handball Federation, it stands as the highest honour for European nations in the sport. The competition operates on a biennial cycle, scheduled in even-numbered years to alternate with the global IHF World Championship.

Since its inception in 1994, the event has grown significantly in scale. It began with twelve participating nations and currently features twenty-four teams. The structure comprises a preliminary round divided into six groups of four. The top two sides from each group progress to the main round, where they compete in two groups of six. Crucially, results achieved against teams carried over from the preliminary stage are retained in the main round standings. The four highest-placed teams from each main round group advance to the knockout phase, which includes semi-finals and a final.

Sweden holds the record for success, having won five titles since the tournament’s creation. France follows closely with four victories, including their most recent triumph in 2024 against Denmark. Germany, Denmark, and Spain each possess two crowns. The qualification process is managed exclusively by the European Handball Federation through a multi-stage pathway involving qualification phases and a promotion round for lower-ranked nations. Unlike the World Championship, there is no automatic berth for continental champions, though the EHF EURO is widely regarded as the most prestigious title within the sport due to the depth of European talent involved.

The current season sees Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, the Czech Republic, and Denmark among the participating nations. This gathering highlights the continued expansion and competitive nature of the championship.