The handball family across the world have been paying their respects in memory of Herbert Jeglič, towering figure in Slovenian and international handball, who passed away, aged 81.

Herbert Jeglič dedicated his life to the sport with unwavering passion, leaving an indelible legacy both on and off the court. As an elite referee, coach, mentor, and official, he shaped generations of handball professionals and elevated the standards of the game worldwide.

His distinguished refereeing career, most notably in partnership with Štefan Jug, placed him among the finest in the sport’s history. Together, they officiated at 11 IHF World Championships, as well as two editions of the Olympic Games. In 1988, Jeglič became the first Slovenian to officiate an Olympic final, in Seoul, and returned to the Olympic stage in Barcelona in 1992. The pair also refereed the 1990 World Championship final in former Czechoslovakia and concluded their legendary partnership at the inaugural European Championship in Portugal in 1994.

Beyond his accomplishments on the court, Herbert Jeglič continued to serve the sport as a highly respected delegate at major events, including the Olympic Games in Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, and numerous IHF competitions. His expertise played a key role in advancing the professionalism of handball refereeing on the global stage.

As president of the Expert Committee of the Slovenian Referees Association (ZDRSS), and a committed mentor, he nurtured the growth of many Slovenian referee pairs who went on to achieve international acclaim.

His contributions as a coach for RD Slovan and Šentvid, and as assistant coach of the Slovenian women’s youth national team, underscored his comprehensive understanding of the game and his tireless commitment to its development.

The IHF President, Dr Hassan Moustafa, extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Slovenian handball family.