Germany’s men’s and women’s teams continued their domination of the second stage of the 2026 IHF Beach Handball Global Tour (BHGT) in Plock, Poland by winning their respective competitions on the second and final day.

Going into the event, the men’s team – as current European Championship and The World Games men’s title-holders – and women’s teams – as current IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship title-holders – were the strong favourites and they did not disappoint on Sunday (14 June), clearly winning both finals to qualify through to the tour finals later this year.

Germany men ‘in world championship form’

After winning against North Macedonia and Poland on day one, Germany’s men completed their preliminary round clean sweep with a 2-0 win over Czechia on day two, Lennart Liebeck top-scoring with 20 points. In the final preliminary round game, Marcel Swiatlowski’s 16 points ensured the host nation would make it through to the final, helping his side to a 2-0 win over debutants North Macedonia.

Fellow debutants Czechia then defeated their opponents for bronze, 2-0 (26:20, 22:13), despite Martin Ivanovski top-scoring on 16 points for the losing side.

Instead of Liebeck, it was Lars Zelser who shone in the points scoring (14) for Germany in the gold medal match as they sent the host nation fans home with a loss, defeating Poland 2-0 (24:13, 29:20) – an even wider winning margin than their group game. Germany’s Lennart Liebeck ended the stage as top-scorer, with 67 points as his side now look towards the IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championship at the end of the month.

“That was a fantastic final with great weather, good conditions, and a great atmosphere in the stands – it was a real blast,” said Germany men’s coach Marten Franke to handball.net.

“The team is clearly already in World Championship form, which we're happy about – and on top of that, securing our ticket to the tour finals makes us very happy.”

Perfect World Championship preparation for Germany’s women

Just like the men’s side, Germany women ended the Plock stage with four 2-0 wins out of four, adding one against Czechia 2-0 (30:14, 24:12), in which Isabel Kattner top-scored on 16 points and Poland 2-0 (13:10, 22:8) in the final, a game in which Kattner top-scored again (14) – therefore it was no surprise she ended up as top-scorer, with 64 points in four games, 17 ahead of second-placed teammate, Pauline Borrmann (47).

Poland had confirmed their place in the final in a dramatic 2-1 (22:18, 20:25, SO 13:12) shoot-out victory over France which delighted the home fans who had stepped out in much better weather conditions than day one.

An epic shoot-out went to the second round of shots, with France’s Lou Broca the unlucky player, failing to score their seventh shot, allowing Karolina Herian to score a single point for the win, a victory with its foundations in Katarzyna Adaczynska’s 18 points in the game for Poland.

Despite their disappointment, France quickly regrouped for the bronze medal match, winning the all-debutant clash against Czechia 2-0 (25:18, 24:14), Dorothee Blaise top-scoring on 12 points.

“We found the right attitude both offensively and defensively and handled our task with ease," said Germany women’s coach Alexander Novakovic to handball.net after their passage to the final had been confirmed with victory over Czechia, before adding after his side had won gold, “…that was a strong start and gives us a good feeling for the challenges ahead. Although we weren't quite at 100 percent in the first set, but we still controlled the match confidently. In the second set, our defence deserves praise; it was close to perfect in many moments.

“We will now incorporate these positive steps into our preparations for the world championship.”

Tour Finals spots confirmed for Germany

Both Germany men’s and women’s teams have now qualified through to the BHGT Finals stage later this year just like Portugal’s women and Croatia’s men did in Zagreb last month at Stage 1.

Brazil are the current IHF Beach Handball Global Tour title-holders, having won both the men’s and women’s gold medals in the Finals Stage last year.

All matches from Plock can be viewed again on the IHF Competitions YouTube channel. 

2026 IHF Beach Handball Global Tour: Stage 2

RANKINGS

Women’s competition
1 Germany
2 Poland
3 France
4 Czechia

Men’s competition
1 Germany
2 Poland
3 Czechia
4 North Macedonia

RESULTS

Women’s competition

Preliminary round
Germany v France 2-0 (24:12, 8:6)
Poland v Czechia 2-1 (23:17, 14:20, SO 8:4)
Czechia v France 0-2 (10:21, 6:24)
Poland v Germany 0-2 (3:20, 20:32)
Germany v Czechia 2-0 (30:14, 24:12)
France v Poland 1-2 (18:22, 25:20, SO 12:13)
Bronze medal match: France v Czechia 2-0 (25:18, 24:14)
Final: Germany v Poland 2-0 (13:10, 22:8)

Men’s competition

Preliminary round
North Macedonia v Czechia 0-2 (16:22, 8:20)
Poland v Germany 0-2 (18:26, 19:22)
Germany v North Macedonia 2-0 (30:6, 34:14)
Czechia v Poland 0-2 (16:17, 16:19)
Poland v North Macedonia 2-0 (24:18, 21:20)
Germany v Czechia 2-0 (30:16, 30:18)
Bronze medal match: Czechia v North Macedonia 2-0 (26:20, 22:13)
Final: Germany v Poland 2-0 (24:13, 29:20)

Photo credit: Pawel Bejnarowicz / ZPRP