Bob Hanning has solved the ticket for the 2026 European Championship with Italy’s handball players. The Azzurri lost their away game in Serbia 24:28 (15:15) and thus missed second place in qualification group 4. However, the Italians secured the only second European Championship participation after 1998 as one of four group thirds.
Mikael Helmersson was the best shooter for Hanning’s team with seven goals. On Thursday, Italy received the first defeat in the term of office of the Füchse Berlin at 29:33 against Spain. The European Championship will take place in Denmark, Sweden and Norway from January 15 to February 1, 2026.
Italy had caused a sensation with the historical main round of the world at the World Cup at the beginning of the year. After the tournament, Hanning from Riccardo Trillini took over the office of coach. For the 57-year-old, it is the first stop as a national coach. At the first games under his direction, Italy had won two victories against Latvia.
In addition to Italy on Sunday evening, Switzerland with ex-Bundesliga star Andy Schmid, as a coach, secured their participation in the European Championship-also as a group third. The Confederates lost 33:34 (18:18) against neighboring Austria in the German group, which completed the qualification in second place behind the DHB team.