Rising stars prepare for M20 EHF EURO 2026 showdown in Romania

For the second consecutive time, the Men’s 20 EHF EURO gathers 24 participants in a thrilling battle for a place in the history books.

There is plenty to look forward to as Europe’s brightest talents compete on the international stage in the 15th edition of the European Championship. The preliminary round takes place from 8 to 11 July and features six groups of four teams each. The top two teams in each group advance to the main round.

GROUP A: Germany, Portugal, France, Greece

• the competition in group A is expected to be intense, with 2024 runners-up Portugal and fourth-placed Germany hoping to reach the later stages of the tournament once again; they also met twice at the previous edition, with Portugal celebrating victories in the preliminary round group and semi-final
• the group is completed by France and Greece; the former finished in 10th place at the previous edition, failing once again to make it to the podium since their silver medal in 2018
• Portugal have shown consistency in previous editions, clinching one bronze (in 2018) and two silver medals (in 2022 and 2024) — will 2026 be the year they finally lift the trophy?
• THW Kiel’s left back Rasmus Ankermann stands out among Germany’s talents in this year’s squad

GROUP B: Serbia, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Türkiye

• Serbia, Switzerland, the Faroe Islands and Türkiye make up an exciting group B
• the 2026 edition sees Switzerland and the Faroe Islands share the same preliminary round group once again, after being drawn in group C in 2024; back then, the Faroese started their campaign with a narrow 30:29 victory, but then suffered a loss against the Swiss in the placement matches
• finishing 13th in 2024, Serbia failed to replicate their success from the previous edition, when they took bronze — their first and only medal in the competition so far
• Türkiye are determined to make a good impression on the international stage, as they were not part of the M20 and M18 EHF EURO in 2024

GROUP C: Iceland, Spain, Austria, Latvia

• Spain start their title defence in group C, alongside Iceland, Austria and Latvia; with young superstar Marcos Fis on their side — who also impressed in the senior squad at the Men’s EHF EURO 2026 — the Spanish hope to add one more achievement to their list
• this generation of Icelandic players finished just outside the podium at the M18 EHF EURO 2024, being defeated in the bronze medal match by Hungary
• following their successful 2024 campaign, Spain are now tied with Denmark on the number of M20 EHF EURO trophies, with both nations currently tallying four
• Austria placed sixth at the previous edition — one place higher than Iceland — while Latvia did not take part in the tournament

GROUP D: Denmark, Norway, Croatia, North Macedonia

• big ambitions fuel Denmark’s start to the M20 EHF EURO 2026, as the side last raised the trophy in 2010 — and since then have only clinched a bronze medal, in 2024
• at the M18 EHF EURO 2024, Denmark took second place following a narrow loss in the final against Sweden — this achievement might be an indicator of a promising under-20 squad this year
• Norway, Croatia and North Macedonia complete the group D line-up; among them, only Croatia has a medal to their name — silver back in 2012

GROUP E: Sweden, Romania, Israel, Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Romania are eager to put on a great performance in front of their own fans, as they share group E with Sweden, Israel and Bosnia and Herzegovina
• this generation of Swedish talents raised the M18 EHF EURO 2024 trophy and hopes to replicate this success in the M20 tournament
• Sweden’s last podium appearance dates back to 2014, when they lost in the final against Germany to finish as runners-up; they were close to clinching bronze in 2022, but a loss against Serbia left them just outside the top three

GROUP F: Hungary, Slovenia, Czechia, Poland

• following their M18 EHF EURO 2024 third-place finish, Hungary’s squad starts with high expectations, aiming for a better outcome than at the M20 EHF EURO 2024, when the nation finished in 12th place
• 2018 champions Slovenia are also among the favourites to advance from the group, completed by Poland — who won gold in 2002, their only medal in the competition — and Czechia
• Slovenia count on talented Aljuš Anžic to lead the charge, as the 18-year-old already boasts experience on the international stage in previous youth and junior competitions, as well as with RK Celje Pivovarna Laško

Photos © Stefan Ivanovic/HF Montenegro (main & Spain in-text); Vuk Raicevic (first and last) & Mario Matkovic/HF Montenegro (in-text)