Germany is hosting the 2024 European Handball Championships, and the games will take place in six cities from January 10th. Here is an overview of the most important information.
The tournament begins on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 and ends with the final on Sunday, January 28. It is the first time that Germany is hosting a European men’s handball championship.
How do they see it? Preliminary groups out of?
The draw in Düsseldorf resulted in the following preliminary round groups:
| Group A | Group B | Group C |
|---|---|---|
France | Spain | Iceland |
Germany | Austria | Hungary |
North Macedonia | Croatia | Serbia |
Switzerland | Romania | Montenegro |
| Group D | Group E | Group F |
|---|---|---|
Norway | Sweden | Denmark |
Slovenia | Netherlands | Portugal |
Poland | Bosnia-H. | Czech Republic |
Faroe Islands | Georgia | Greece |
What venues are there?
The opening game, which is also the Germans’ first game, will take place in the Düsseldorf football stadium. With a capacity of 50,000 seats, the organizers are hoping for a handball spectator record. The previous record came from 2014, when 44,000 people in Frankfurt watched the Bundesliga game Rhein-Neckar Löwen against HSV Hamburg.
The preliminary round games will be played in Mannheim, Munich and the capital Berlin, where the German one is also held team plays his further games. If the Germans qualify for the main round, they will continue playing in Cologne. The other main round games are scheduled for Hamburg. The final round will also take place in Cologne, including the semi-finals, the game for fifth place, the game for third place and the final.
What is there to win?
The European Handball Federation has presented a new trophy for the men’s European Championships. It remains in one shell, but in another design has been manufactured.
The new European Championship trophy was presented at the draw
When does Germany play?
The team of the German Handball Federation (DHB) will play the opening game in Düsseldorf on January 10th against Switzerland (8.45 p.m., live on ZDF). Afterwards – unusual for a European Handball Championship – Germany has a three-day break, and the second group game against North Macedonia will not take place until January 14th (8:30 p.m., live on ZDF). The game will take place in Berlin, just like the last group game against six-time world champions and three-time European champions France on January 16th (8:30 p.m., live on ARD).
What is the mode?
The 24 teams compete against each other in the preliminary round in groups of four, the two best placed teams reach the main round, where they end up in the same group – the result from the direct preliminary round duel remains.
In the main round there are two groups of six. Their group winners and runners-up then compete crosswise in the semi-finals. In addition to the grand finale, there are also games for fifth and third place.
What happens if there is a tie?
There are two or more at the end of the preliminary round or the skin round teams equal, the following criteria decide in this order:
- Score from direct comparison
- Goal difference from direct comparison
- Number of goals from direct comparison
- Goal difference from all group games
- Number of goals from all group games
- the lot
Where can I watch Germany’s European Handball Championship games?
ARD and ZDF will broadcast the games with German participation, live on TV and in Live stream.
Who are the favorites?
There is of course no way around Denmark, the world champions of 2019, 2021 and 2023, even if it is for that team Things didn’t go well at the last European Championships. In 2022 “only” third place, before that preliminary round exit (2020) and fourth place (2018).
France and Spain (European champions in 2018 and 2020 respectively) are also among the favorites, as is defending champion Sweden. The DHBteam has to cope with a few failures and is not one of the top favorites, but has the home advantage on his side.
How can I get tickets for the European Handball Championship?
The last major sales phase began on September 13th. For games that are currently sold out, smaller contingents could always be put on sale due to returns. There are currently no more tickets available for the German team’s preliminary round games.
The situation is different for the other groups, some starting at just 20 euros. There are also currently advance tickets available for the main round and the final weekend in Cologne – although they are mostly higher priced.