2024 European Men’s Handball Championship. Feasible Title, Legendary Triumphs, Groups, Grand Stars, Timetable and Foretelling

Germany will host the European Men’s Handball Championship 2024, the 16th edition of the tournament and the third to feature 24 national teams. The contest has taken place every two years since – 1994. Besides that, the championship is like a qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games and World Championship. The Swedish national team won the last contest two years ago and has the most titles – five. However, Spain is the most decorated squad in history, as they won the most medals.

Legendary Past of the European Men’s Handball Championship

The journey of the European Men’s Handball Championship started in 1994, and Sweden became champion four times in the first five editions of the contest. In 2022, almost two years ago, Scandinavians won their historical fifth edition, beating Spain in the final 27-26. Here is the list of all the winners.

Sweden is the only side in history to secure the title playing at home. They achieved that in 2002 when they whooped Germany in the final 33-31, and it is a clear prophecy that something remarkable can transpire this time. Germany is the host and can become the second nation to replicate this accomplishment – so we can wish them good luck.

Men’s Handball Championship 2024 Timetable

It is time to present the European Men’s Handball Championship 2024 schedule. The format is the same as last year, with four teams in each of six groups starting in the preliminary round and only two going through. In the main round, only twelve possible title lifters remain. However, only two out of six will go to the semi-finals. Two sides that came up short will battle for the fifth place.

The Preliminary round – from the 10th until the 16th of January
Main round – from the 18th until the 24th of January
5th Place Game and Semi-Finals – on the 26th of January
3rd Place Game and Grand Final – on the 28th of December

European Handball Championship Cities and Arenas

Participants will play in six venues – Düsseldorf, Cologne, Berlin, Hamburg, Mannheim, and Munich. The preliminary round is set to happen in Düsseldorf, Mannheim, Munich, and Berlin, while the main round is in Cologne and Hamburg.

After the 2/3 of the tournament, we will forget all the other cities and stick only with Cologne. Lanxess Arena will organize the fifth-place game, semi-finals, and medal matches. The arena accommodates 20,000 people for concerts, 19,500 for handball, and 18,500 for hockey. All tournament arenas and their capacities:

Düsseldorf – Merkur Spiel Arena – 50,000
Cologne – Lanxess Arena, 19,500
Berlin – Mercedes-Benz Arena, 14,800
Hamburg – Barclaycard Arena, 13,300
Mannheim – SAP Arena, 13,200
Munich – Olympiahalle, 12,150

European Men’s Handball Championship 2024 Groups

If we compare two primary handball tournaments, the 2024 European Men’s Handball Championship and the 2023 Women’s World Championship – we have six groups compared to eight. The robust vista of the groups.

Group A in Düsseldorf/Berlin: France, Germany, North Macedonia, Switzerland

The action begins with Group A, where France is the favourite to finish first, but Germany will not give up hope. They understand they can fight against Les Bleus because on the 25th of January 2023, in the Men’s Handball World Championship, Germany lost to the silver medallists France with the result 28-35. However, not to mention the last meeting, but the two previous ones, Germany put up a fight, lost and won by a point – (2021, 29-30) and (2022, 35-34). The home walls might help the Germans and cause problems for the French squad.

The two other European teams, North Macedonia, and Switzerland will not make it far this year due to their lack of talent and skill. North Macedonia took part in the World Championship two years ago and played solid handball but did not win a game. It will be the eighth time North Macedonia takes part in this tournament, and they can pull out a surprise if you underestimate them. On the other hand – Switzerland is the outsider of this group and will finish fourth.

Group B in Mannheim: Spain, Austria, Croatia, Romania

The Spaniards look forward to making their fifth final appearance out of five. One of the biggest handball powerhouses in the world has an easy route in this group. They hanged on the gold medals in 2018 and 2020 and silver medals in 2016 and 2022.

Croatia has a fine enough squad to take second place in Group B. From 2004 until 2016, Croatia played in the semi-finals seven straight times, winning the silver and bronze medals twice. Both teams fought two times in the past four years, and Croatians lost twice, but it cannot really predict anything because the sample is scarce. Curiously, the Cowboys have the best head-to-head record in this group, so the Spanish unit must consider that fact. Nevertheless, Romania and Austria will fight for the third sport.

Group C in Munich: Iceland, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro

Group C is one of the most interesting, and people already call this quartet the group of death. All four have handball customs, so it is almost inconceivable to foresee the result. Hungary and Iceland seem like the nations with higher possibilities of locking that first place. On the 14th of January 2023, Hungary won 30-28 in the Men’s World Championship, proving they definitely take the first spot.

Looking at the runs in the European Championship, Hungary will participate for the eleventh time in a row (TOP 10 – 5). Serbia will take part for the eighth straight, and their best result is second place in 2012 when they were the hosts and lost against powerful Denmark. We had an opportunity to see Montenegro in the group stages for six straight editions, but it does not lower their rank in this discussion, as all teams can surprise and win unexpected games.

Group D in Berlin: Norway, Slovenia, Poland, Faroe Islands

There is no way that Norway never had an easy way in the Men’s European Championships. The crew from North never won the title, and it does not look favourable this year, even though the group is not the toughest. The Faroe Islands will not give a fight as they are making their premiere in this tournament, so it opens the hands for the other two European countries, Slovenia and Poland.

They fought each other in the World Championship 2023, and Slovenia won 32-23 against Poland. This result shows that Poland must make the required changes to have a slim chance of winning, as they will presumably fight for the second spot in Group D, and Norway should ensure themselves the first-place finish. Norwegians won their only European medal in 2020, beating the same Slovenia in the bronze final 28-20, so you never know what can transpire.

Group E in Mannheim: Sweden, Netherlands, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Georgia

The current European champions will not face any difficulties going past the rivals in Mannheim. They are the clear favourites not only in this group but also in this tournament. Having Jim Gottfridsson, Oscar Bergendahl, and one of the best goalkeepers, Andreas Palicka, in the team, they can go all the way.

Georgians will make their long-awaited debut on the European stage, and they can be satisfied because the group is pretty even, apart from Sweden. They won against Hungary in the European Championship qualification, 31-30, so you better take them seriously. The Netherlands will participate for the third time in their history. In 2018, they grabbed the 17th position, and in 2020, 10th. Bosnia & Herzegovina is the team that doubtfully can pull out something because they did not impress throughout the European Qualification, so there is no one side that is a favourite to secure the second spot.

Group F in Munich: Denmark, Portugal, Czechia, Greece

The handball Vikings, Denmark, are inclined to win their first European Championship since 2012. The Danish squad won three straight World Championships, but they can’t get over the hump in this contest. The group is quite comfortable, and neither Portugal nor Czechia alongside Portugal can stop this team. Two-time European Champions, in 2008 and 2012, will try to take the first spot and go to the final, while Portugal will combat against Czechia for the second position. Greece will make their debut, and no one expects anything, but the main advantage Greeks have is that they will play without nerves and expectations.

Grand Stars of the European Men’s Handball Championship 2024

We mention teams with the highest possibilities to win but who are the grand stars of the European tournament that will lead their nations to glory.

Dika Mem – (Right Back)

French superstar will strive to win the title because, with their depth, quality, skill, and experience, the French national team looks frightening. Mem competes for FC Barcelona as he joined Barça in the summer of 2016. He became one of the world’s most talented right-backs. His development is visible with every tournament, as he is now one of the most feared handballers.

Aleix Gomez – (Right Wing)

Spanish handball player Aleix Gómez is a speedy winger with fascinating finishing ability. His pace has been essential in making quick shifts from defence to attack. Gómez has transformed into a player with outrageous finishing ability since joining FC Barcelona, and he is currently among the world’s top right wings. As a youth international, Gómez won the 2017 Junior World Championship. In 2022, he also became the top goal scorer of the EHF Champions League, finishing with 104 goals. At the moment, Gomez competes for FC Barcelona and the Spain national team.

Sander Sagosen – (Centre Back)

One of the best players in this tournament will have to play at the highest level if Norway wants to win some silverware. Norwegian centre-back leaves the belief that he can envision what will occur on the handball court before it even happens. This way, he has the edge of being slightly faster, which enables him to halve teams in half with snappy decisions. Sagosen plays for the Kolstad Handball team located in Norway.

Jim Gottfridsson – (Centre Back)

Swedish handball player of the year in 2018 and 2022, the reigning, defending champion of the Men’s European Championship, has a chance to make yet another historical run in this tournament. Gottfridsson has gained respect because of his skilful touch, exquisite vision, exceptional defending, and aerial talents. Gottfridsson plays for the SG Flensburg Handewitt German team.

Mikkel Hansen – (Left Back)

Mikkel Hansen is a left-back who plays for the Danish Club Aalborg. He is one of the greatest handball players in history, as he won the Player of the Year award three times (2011, 2015, 2018). With the Denmark national team, Hansen won the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, three straight World Championship titles (2019, 2021, 2023), and the European Championship (2012). His background and the sweet European victory in Serbia might help this team to lift that cup.

Foretelling of the European Men’s Handball Championship 2024

It is almost impossible to predict the outcome of this tournament. Nevertheless, the TOP 5 choices to win the title are Denmark, Sweden, Spain, France, and the host Germany. You can put Spain in the final now, as they played in four consecutive gold medal matches. Les Bleus are always one of the favourites in handball competitions. With fan support and quality, Germany is also one of the leading teams. However, success will be vital in this one, and even other teams that were not mentioned can surprise Europe.

Curious about Women’s Handball WC?

Check out the 7bet blog and educate yourself about the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship.