The draw for the EHF Beach EURO 2023 was made on 15 February in the Portuguese coastal town of Nazaré.

A total of 32 teams (16 men’s, 16 women’s teams) from 17 nations will compete on the sand at the 13th edition of the continental championship.

The draw was overseen by EHF President Michael Wiederer and the chair of the EHF Beach Handball Commission, Gabriella Horvath. They were assisted by Portugal women’s team national player Daniela Mendes and Portugal men’s team national player Tiago Costa.

As hosts, Portugal had the right to choose which group they were drawn in, with all 32 teams looking to win European silverware and secure a spot at the European Games, to be held in June. 

Repeat of 2021 final in women’s competition, Germany the team to beat

Title-holders Germany were drawn against Denmark, France and Italy in Group A. Germany are also IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship title-holders, having won the global title in Heraklion last year, as well as reigning World Games winners after their victory in Birmingham, USA last July.

In what is sure to be one of the biggest clashes on the Portuguese sand, Germany will face current ANOC World Beach Games title-holders Denmark, who they beat in the 2021 EURO final.

“The important thing to know will be which team can come with their strongest players,” explained Germany women’s head coach Alexander Novakovic to ihf.info.

“The date of the championship is early and many teams have problems because the indoor season is still running, so this could mean that we get some surprises at this EURO.

“Group C is, for me, the strongest group,” he added. “But above all, the draw is well-distributed and in every group we will see strong matches and experienced teams starting from the very first day.”

Germany currently sit on an unprecedented record of 25 consecutive wins on their way to European, World and The World Games titles.

This included nine straight victories to become European champions in 2021, but with that comes the fact that opponents will be super-motivated to be the team to beat them.

“We are honoured that everyone wants to beat us,” said Novakovic.

“We are honoured because we worked hard for this privilege, but it is not more pressure. We don’t have to defend the 2021 titles as they are ours even after the next final." 

IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship bronze medallists Netherlands are in Group B alongside Ukraine, Türkiye and the host nation Portugal.

“The advantage of playing at home will be our crowd. Their support will be fundamental,” said Mendes at the event. “We want to finish in the top three.”

Slovakia, who were first out of the bowl, were drawn into Group C alongside Hungary, Greece and Norway. At the same time, Group D features world championship silver medallists Spain alongside Poland, Croatia and Romania.

Men’s Competition

In the men’s competition, defending champions and world championship runners-up Denmark were also drawn against Germany in Group D alongside Romania and Türkiye.

“The European Championship and beach handball as a sport in general are now so strong that there are no easy matches,” said Gorm Andersen, Head Coach for the Danish men’s team, to the DHF.

“Having said that, as the defending European champions, we can take the position as favourites in our group.”

Portugal men’s national team player Tiago Costa helped with the draw which saw his side in group B alongside Hungary, France and Italy, who were first out of the bowl.

Group A features record EURO winners and world championship title-holders Croatia who were drawn alongside Norway, Poland and the Netherlands, while Spain, Ukraine, Sweden and Greece complete the competition in Group C.

Women

Group A: Germany, Denmark, France, Italy

Group B: Netherlands, Ukraine, Portugal, Türkiye

Group C: Hungary, Greece, Norway, Slovakia

Group D: Spain, Poland, Croatia, Romania

Men

Group A: Croatia, Norway, Poland, Netherlands

Group B: Hungary, Portugal, France, Italy

Group C: Spain, Ukraine, Sweden, Greece

Group D: Denmark, Germany, Romania, Türkiye