The fourth edition of the IHF Beach Handball Global Tour (BHGT) launches this week in Tunisia, with the first stage of 2025 taking place in Hammamet from Friday 13 to Saturday 14 June.

In the women’s event, three former world champions will compete alongside the hosts. Tunisia will be joined by Spain (2016 world champions), first-timers Greece (2018) and Croatia (2008).

The men’s event also features hosts Tunisia, who are joined by current and former world champions Croatia (2008, 2016, 2022, 2024), 2004 world champions, and BHGT debutants, Egypt, plus 2017 European champions Spain.

A total of 16 matches will be played – the men’s and women’s tournaments comprising of eight games each – starting with an initial four-team, preliminary group in each competition. 

The groups will consist of round-robin games across the two days, with the first preliminary matches played on 13 June and the last played in the morning of 14 June. 

The top two and bottom two in each competition group will then play each other in their respective gold and bronze medal matches, scheduled for the same afternoon.

For a full match schedule see the end of this article.

“A new experience” – men’s world champions ready for African test

Current IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championship and The World Games title-holders Croatia, like all the European teams in Hammamet, are looking to get vital, competitive games under their belts as they prepare for the 2025 EHF European Beach Handball Championships, which take place in Turkiye, next month.

They open their campaign with a morning clash against Egypt, following by Spain in the afternoon and then an early afternoon clash against the hosts the following day before they know their fate.

“For most of us, this is our first time going to Africa, so we're really excited to be part of this stage. It’s a new experience and we’re looking forward to everything that comes with it, both on and off the court,” explained Croatia’s Lucian Bura, who was selected as best right wing of the 2024 IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championship, to ihf.info.

“Beach handball is growing worldwide, and the Global Tour is a great way to promote the sport in different parts of the world. It has the potential to make a real impact in the future. For us as a national team, it’s also an excellent opportunity to prepare for the upcoming major tournaments,” he added.

“If I remember correctly, the last time we played Egypt was at the 2019 Mediterranean Beach Games in Patras. That game went in our favour, but it’s been a long time since then. We know Spain very well as we’ve played them many times, and it often comes down to one decisive ball – it’s always a tough and exciting matchup. We played against Tunisia at the ANOC World Beach Games in Doha 2019, and they are similar to Egypt, so we will see what kind of a game they will play this time.”

Spain coach Juan Antonio Vazquez held a last training preparation camp on Thursday (12 June) in Getafe, before flying to Tunisia with a 10-man squad including China 2025 All-star Team member, left wing Gonzalo Cervera.

“It is wonderful, being a great event for the European Championship preparation, against world champions Croatia and two African powers in Tunisia and Egypt, but it also gives us a chance to qualify for the Global Tour Finals Stage, one of our objectives for this summer,” said Vazquez to rfebm.net about participating in the stage.

“As the stage is short (two days), we have decided to go with only one goalkeeper so we can see more players but our roster is the most competitive possible.”

‘Quality’ on offer in women’s competition excites Greece’s Kepesidou

For 2018 IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship winners Greece, Stage 1 of the IHF Beach Handball Global Tour in Hammamet will be its 16th participation in a major women's beach handball, a stepping stone towards their 17th, the EURO next month.

Back at Kazan, Russia 2018, they made their debut on the global stage, ending with gold and have been presents ever-since, but this will be their first appearance on the BHGT.

“Participating in the IHF Beach Handball Global Tour is important for us as a team, and for me personally, because it will be my first one and I don’t want Greece to be at an official beach handball tournament without taking part in it,” said Greece’s goalkeeper Magdalini Kepesidou to ihf.info.

“I have never played in Africa before so it’s a new experience and I am looking forward to arriving. This stage is important for us because our team has some new players and it’s a good chance to help them get some experience, especially against teams like Croatia, Tunisia and Spain who will be very interesting because of their experience and quality.”

Greece open their campaign with a game against EURO 2025 group opponents Croatia, with the Croatian women returning to the Global Tour for the first time since 2023.

“This tournament is an excellent prelude for us ahead of the upcoming EURO, especially since Greece is in our group at the EURO. Spain are known for its fast and dynamic style of play, and we’ll be facing the Tunisian national team for the first time, so we’ll see what kind of playing style they have,” said Croatia’s Petra Dicak to ihf.info.

“I’ve been playing beach handball for six-to-seven years now, and during that time I’ve made great memories and friendships. I’ve played indoor handball my whole life, but it’s a special pleasure for me to spend the summer playing beach handball.

“This is my first time setting foot on African soil,” added the 29-year-old, who played all nine games for Croatia at China 2025, scoring 78 points. “I'm excited to get to know the culture and people of Tunisia, try the local food, and explore the beauty of the city.
    
“Our national team is a bit different for this tournament compared to our last competition. We have a few younger girls who have joined the team, and this is will be a great opportunity for them to prove themselves and gain experience for future tournaments. We ‘older’ players are here to offer advice and try together to achieve the best possible result.”

Spain coach Juan Pablo Morillo's team have been training with the men’s team in their final preparations in Getafe, before heading to Tunisia and his team of 10 includes the recently-crowned ebt Finals 2025 MVP – and Spanish beach handball legend, Asun Batista (Maria Asuncion Batista).

“Our opponents on this stage of are of a high standard,” said Morillo, to ihf.info. “Both Greece and Croatia performed well at the last world championship and they're very familiar opponents for us; we've played each other several times in recent years.

“Tunisia are less well-known, and we understand they're on the rise. We must focus primarily on our game at this stage of preparation and from there continue to be a competitive team 

“We are in the process of reaching our best level, ahead of the EURO,” he added. “We have some very important objectives: to consolidate the playing systems, the coordination between the players and the cohesion of the group. These matches in Tunisia will be key to achieving this and continuing to gain that international experience so necessary to compete at the highest level.”

The second stage of the 2025 IHF Beach Handball Global Tour will take place on 29 and 30 July, in Laredo, Spain, while the Finals are due to be played between 7 and 9 November, in João Pessoa, Brazil.

All matches from Hammamet will be streamed live on the IHF Competitions YouTube channel.

2025 IHF Beach Handball Global Tour – Stage 1: Hammamet, Tunisia

Match Schedule
(all times local)

Friday 13 June

Preliminary round – Men
10:50 Egypt vs Croatia
12:30 Spain vs Tunisia
16:50 Croatia vs Spain
18:30 Tunisia vs Egypt

Preliminary round – Women
10:00 Croatia vs Greece
11:40 Tunisia vs Spain
16:00 Greece vs Spain
17:40 Croatia vs Tunisia

Saturday 14 June

Preliminary round – Men

11:40 Spain vs Egypt
12:30 Tunisia vs Croatia

Preliminary round – Women

10:00 Spain vs Croatia
10:50 Tunisia vs Greece

Finals – Men

16:50 Bronze medal match
18:30 Final

Finals – Women

16:00 Bronze medal match
17:40 Final

About the IHF Beach Handball Global Tour

The IHF Beach Handball Global Tour was launched at the 2022 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships in Greece and debuted in Gdansk, Poland with Croatia winning the men’s tournament and Spain taking the top spot in the women’s tournament. Four teams – Croatia, Germany, Poland and Spain – participated in both the men’s and women’s competitions.

The 2023 IHF Beach Handball Global Tour consisted of four stages, visiting Brazil, Tunisia and Poland before the Finals Stage was held in Doha, Qatar. Qatar’s men and Brazil’s women took the titles.

In 2024, the IHF Beach Handball Global Tour featured three stages, including Brazil, Spain, and then the Finals Stage again in Qatar. Brazil’s men and women won their respective titles.

This year, 2025 sees three stages, starting with Hammamet, Tunisia (13 to 15 June) before moving on to Laredo, Spain from 29 to 30 July. The Finals Stage is due to be played between 7 and 9 November, in João Pessoa, Brazil.