Veszprém HC warmed up for the final of the 2026 IHF Men’s Club World Championship with a dominating win against Burgan SC, 44:19

GROUP B
Veszprém HC (HUN) vs Burgan SC (KUW) 44:19 (26:9)

Veszprém HC had already won their group prior to the match against Burgan SC, but they pulled no punches and finished off the Kuwaiti side, securing their fourth win in a row in this edition of the IHF Men’s Club World Championship, 44:19.

The match was a good time for Xavi Pascual to rotate all his players and rest some key ones, as all outfield players bar backs Ivan Martinovic and Ahmed Hesham scored at least one goal in the match.

However, that was not an issue for the Hungarian side, champions in 2024 and runners-up in 2025, as they started the match strong and never looked back, against a debutant who are still to secure their maiden points in the competition.

Mikael Appelgren was the only goalkeeper in the roster, but that was not an issue for Xavi Pascual’s side, as he navigated the match to perfection, hovering around a 50% saving efficiency throughout the 60 minutes.

On the other hand, the attack was firing on all cylinders, as Veszprém scored 26 goals in the first half and missed only 13 shots throughout the 60 minutes, with 13 players scoring at least two goals in the match.

Young wing Mate Gancs-Peto was the team’s top scorer, with seven goals, but another up-and-coming player, right back Daniel Barna, also added four goals, with fellow wing Bence Imre putting four goals past Burgan.

The gap between the two sides was clear to be seen from the get-go, with Veszprém easily taking an 11:5 lead after 11 minutes, conceding only four in the next 19, to create a 17-goal lead at the break.

That lead only grew bigger in the second half, despite Burgan providing a better attacking performance, as Jihad Ben Araar and Ahmed Almizal each scored five goals. But Burgan could do nothing to avoid another painful loss, their third in a row, with Veszprém confirming their fantastic attacking credentials for the fourth time in this edition.

The Hungarian side will now face Barcelona in the final, aiming for their second title in history, while Burgan head to the Placement Match 7/8, against Montada, a battle between the winless debutants in this edition.

Player of the Match: Mikael Appelgren (Veszprém HC)