European Championship U17 Women (EU) 2025/26

The European Women's U17 Handball Championship stands as the premier youth competition for national teams across the continent. Organized by the European Handball Federation (EHF), the tournament was first held in 1992 in Hungary, shortly following the federation's establishment the previous year. Originally known as the European Women's Youth Handball Championship, the event adopted its current name in 2005 to align with standardized age categories.

The competition operates on a biennial cycle and serves as a critical development pathway for female players. It sits within the hierarchy below the senior European Championship and the U19 Junior Championship. The 2025 edition, hosted in Montenegro, featured a significant expansion to 24 teams. These nations were divided into six preliminary groups of four. The top two teams from each group advanced to the Main Round, while those finishing third and fourth entered the Intermediate Round for placement matches. This structure feeds into a complex knockout phase that determines final positions from first to twenty-fourth.

Slovakia retained the title in the most recent final, defeating Croatia 34–30. Historically, Russia and Denmark hold the record for success, each securing three titles. Russia won in 2001, 2003, and 2011, while Denmark claimed victories in 2005, 2009, and 2015. Participation is determined through a qualification tournament. Teams that do not qualify for the main event enter a secondary EHF Championship, ensuring broader involvement across European nations. The competition focuses on early talent identification rather than qualification for the World Junior Championship, which is linked to the U19 tier.