“As European champions and The World Games winners we showed in 2025 that we belong to the absolute top of the world, but 2026 is another year and everyone is starting from zero,” says Germany coach Marten Franke to ihf.info ahead of the 2026 IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championship.

To say 2025 was a success for Franke and his side is an understatement, with Xinglong Lake in China forever in the hearts of the German men after they won their first global title by taking The World Games Chengdu title last year.

Coming a few weeks after they had won the European title, they added The World Games one with a 2-1 (18:21, 19:18, SO 8:6) win over debutants Portugal. After Portugal had won the first set in the final, they were locked at 18:18 in the second, but a final second single-pointer from Germany captain Robin John put it to shots and goalkeeper Mortiz Ebert was the hero, blocking a shot from Francisco Santos.

The EHF EURO gold – one place higher than their silver at the 2023 EURO – was earned after beating Spain in a tense shoot-out. It was their first gold and third overall medal in the competition, after taking their first silver – also in Alanya – in 2004.

On their way to topping the podium, Germany’s men lost just once and conceded just three sets in the process. Their preliminary group campaign saw three 2-0 wins against Czechia (26:14, 26:10), Türkiye (18:16, 20:16) and Portugal (23:22, 26:20) before 2-0 main round victories against Poland (26:20, 30:18) and Denmark (26:18, 21:20), their sole defeat coming against World Championship holders – and four-time EURO winners – Croatia 1-2 (20:26, 22:13, SO 8:10).

A quarter-final win against Italy 2-0 (22:20, 27:20) then set up a semi-final match-up and chance for revenge against Croatia, which Morten Franke’s team did, seeing off Mladen Paradzic’s side 2-1 (18:26, 22:20, SO 7:6), thanks to a Robin John single pointer and two saves from Mortiz Erbert.

Despite that success last year, the Men’s IHF Beach Handball World Championship has only featured Germany twice previously, in 2006 when they finished eighth and last time out, at China 2024 when they finished in a heartbreaking fourth spot, losing the bronze medal to fellow relative newcomers on the global stage, Portugal.

On Pingtan Island, Germany won their first five games 2-0, defeating Uruguay, USA, Qatar, Argentina and Portugal, before losing to Croatia (0-2) in their final main round game.

This set up a quarter-final against Spain, which they won 2-1, before losing their final two games – against Denmark in the semi-final and Portugal in the bronze medal match, both 2-0 – a gold medal at Croatia 2026 will see Germany hold all the major beach handball titles at once: The World Games, continental and World Championship.

Franke has named the same 10 players who won the 2025 EHF EURO for Croatia 2026, highlighting not only a consistent, calm approach, but a physical approach which has meant the top players are in full health despite a busy schedule both on the sand and indoor with the clubs.

Captain Robin John could reach second spot in the all-time beach handball scoring lists while in Croatia, going over the 500-point mark, behind active teammate Lars Zelser.

Tobias Zeyen will play his 75th national game and is the only player who has played in all 13 national team tournaments since his debut in 2022. One of those was The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, where he was named as best defender in the All-star Team, alongside best goalkeeper and teammate Mortiz Ebert. Other notable players include China 2024 All-star Team best defender Severin Henrich and EHF EURO 2025 All-star Team member and best goalkeeper Oliver Middell, who also took home the MVP award at the recent EHF Excellence Awards.

Germany have been drawn against Brazil, Argentina and debutants Italy in their preliminary group at Croatia 2026.

“Brazil, as record champions, are an all-time favourite with their experience and coolness in important situations – they can beat every opponent,” said Franke to ihf.info about the current IHF Beach Handball Global Tour title-holders.

“Argentina could be one of the surprises in this tournament, as one of the youngest teams they already surprised with good beach handball in 2024 and, now, they have grown. It is the first world championship for Italy but we don’t expect an easy task against them because they have developed well and bring some tactical flexibility.

“It will be a difficult and tough task,” he added, before turning his attention to the event overall. “Croatia will give their very best in their own country and as world champions to get the third title in a row. The top eight is as close as never before so it’s going to be an exciting event.”

To prepare for Croatia 2026, Germany took part in a three-nation tournament in Bretzenheim which included matches against Sweden and Norway preceded by many national team players participating in the DHB Beach Championships in Witten.

Coach: Marten Franke

Key players: Lars Zelser, Severin Henrich, Moritz Ebert, Robin John, Oliver Middell

Qualification information: 2025 EHF European Beach Handball Championships – 1st

History in Tournament: 2004: DNQ, 2006: 8th, 2008-2022: DNQ, 2024: 4th

Group at Croatia 2026: Group C: Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Italy