The 24 teams heading to the EHF EURO 2024, plus several others facing the start of the 2024 CAHB African Men’s Handball Championship, the 2024 SCAHC Men’s Handball Championship and the 2024 AHF Asian Men’s Handball Championship featured in friendly matches throughout the Globe in the first days of January, as their preparations reach the final straight before the throw off of their official continental competitions.

In the Golden League competition played in Denmark, the reigning world champions, hosts Denmark, sealed the first place, winning two matches and drawing another one, as they confirmed their status as favourites for the EHF EURO 2024.

Nikolaj Jacobsen’s team started off with a 27:27 draw against Norway, after they led by five goals, 26:21, with 10 minutes to go, only to drop their level and enable their rivals to tie the match. However, Denmark bounced back in superb fashion, with a 34:31 win against Egypt and a 32:18 win against the Netherlands, to take the first place, with five points.

Egypt finished second, with four points, as they secured a 30:28 win against the Netherlands and a 28:23 win over Norway, being clear favourites for another continental title at the 2024 CAHB African Men’s Handball Championship. Norway finished on the third place, after their 38:35 win over the Netherlands, with the Dutch side ending up fourth, as they still miss influential right back Kay Smits.

Two wins - 35:26 against Tunisia and 37:28 against Brazil – enabled France to take the first place in the Golden League played in France, as the reigning Olympic champions look ready for the challenge in the EHF EURO 2024, as well as preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Tunisia took a 32:23 win over Bahrain, but lost their match against France, while Brazil clinched a 30:28 win over the Asian side, which enters their continental competition emptyhanded, but forged with excellent matches against strong opposition, aiming to dethrone Qatar as continental champions.

In the Palau d’Esports de Granollers, Spain hosted Serbia, Slovakia and Poland in the Torneo Internacional de Espana and secured three wins, as they reaffirmed their penchant for performing at the highest level, with a 32:26 win against Serbia, a 36:18 win over Slovakia and a 31:25 win over Poland.

Poland finished second, thanks to their wins against Serbia (38:33) and Slovakia (31:24), while Serbia ended up third, as their 38:20 win over Slovakia helped them seal their maiden points in the competition.

Led by Andy Schmid, who will feature in his last international competition, Switzerland won the traditional Yellow Cup, with wins over Romania (37:31), Argentina (35:27) and Bosnia (39:21), with Romania, qualified for the first time at the EHF EURO since 1996, finishing second, thanks to their wins against Argentina (30:23) and Bosnia (29:19).

In another friendly tournament, Croatia beat Montenegro (29:25) and Slovenia (32:26), underlining their big potential, while Slovenia finished second in the Croatia Cup, with a 37:32 win over Montenegro.

Photo credit: Federation Francaise de Handball