The second edition of the Youth Olympic Games to feature men’s and women’s beach handball – Dakar 2026 – got underway at Saly Beach West on Monday (9 November) with a morning session featuring all 16 teams playing once each.

With a special visit from IOC President Kirsty Coventry, the morning session was full of excitement, upsets, fun, athleticism and atmosphere.

For information on how to watch and follow beach handball at Dakar 2026, click HERE.

Day 1, Session 1 – Monday 9 November 2026

Women’s competition

• World champions Spain were taken all the way by the People’s Republic of China, with the Europeans eventually prevailing 14:12 in the shoot-out after Shiqi YANG missed her attempt.
• Buenos Aires 2018 silver medallists Croatia made a comfortable start, easing to victory over Mexico.
• There were incredible scenes on centre court as hosts Senegal, coached by French Olympian Valerie Nicolas, defeated France 15:14 in a shoot-out, with Aita NDIAYE’s single point sealing the victory.
• Kenya, meanwhile, found it tough against 2025 World Championship top-five side Uruguay, losing 2-0.

Results

Preliminary Group A

Spain v People’s Republic of China 2-1 (18:16, 16:18, SO 14:12)

Croatia v Mexico 2-0 (25:14, 22:10)

Preliminary Group B

France v Senegal 1-2 (11:16, 21:18, SO 14:15)

Uruguay v Kenya 2-0 (20:10, 22:12)

Men’s competition

• The Cook Islands opened the event with their traditional ‘Tila’ and showed plenty of fighting spirit, nearly taking Tunisia to a shoot-out but falling just short in the second set.
• The highest-ranked side in the men’s competition, Germany, made light work of Thailand, securing a convincing 2-0 victory.
• Senegal's men followed in the footsteps of their women's team, causing another major upset in their opening game by beating European heavyweights Hungary 10:8 in a shoot-out. Goalkeeper Mamadou SONKO was the hero, saving Aron MALITS' attempt to seal the win.
• Brazil showed why they are among the medal contenders, producing a strong performance to defeat Puerto Rico 2-0.

Results

Preliminary Group A

Tunisia v Cook Islands 2-0 (22:10, 18:16)

Germany v Thailand 2-0 (22:11, 20:8)

Preliminary Group B

Hungary v Senegal 1-2 (20:26, 24:22, SO 8:10)

Brazil v Puerto Rico 2-0 (22:16, 31:10)