The European Handball Federation (EHF) has announced adjustments to the schedule of matches for future European championships in order to reduce the workload of the players.
The decision was made as response to criticism related to the EHF Men’s Euro 2026 schedule, and the aim is to ensure an optimal balance between rest days and travel for all participants, writes the EHF official website.
The EHF notes that the competitions are being scheduled they always compile well in advance in agreement with the organizers. They point out that matches were played two days in a row in previous championships as well, and that the range of possible adjustments depends on the stage of the organization of each tournament.
This decision comes after numerous criticisms, among which that of the Croatian coach stands out Dagur Sigurdsson. The Croatian coach was furious with the EHF for the desperate conditions and brutal schedule at the current Euros in Norway, Denmark and Sweden.
EHF EURO Women 2026.
For the European Women’s Championship, which will from 3 to 20 December 2026 to be held in Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Turkey, the schedule will be drawn up so that travel days and rest days are separated.
EHF EURO Men 2028
At the European Championship for men in Spain, Portugal and Switzerland, which is scheduled from 13 to 30 January 2028, national teams will not play matches two days in a row. Travel and rest days will also be separate.
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Changes from 2028 and introduction of quarter-finals
The EHF is talking to the organizers about the introduction quarter-final stages of the competition. This change is being considered for the 2028 Women’s European Championships in Norway, Denmark and Sweden, as well as all future European Championships from 2030 onwards.
In the case of the introduction of quarterfinals, the maximum number of games in the tournament (nine) would remain the same. This change would ensure that there is always at least one rest day between games, and travel days would be separate from rest days.
(www.jabuka.tv | Photo: Sasa Miljevic/Pixsell)
