The YAC 17 EHF Beach Handball EURO 2026 has concluded in Zagreb, Croatia with Spain’s men and Hungary’s women winning their respective titles on the very same sand which saw 31 national teams play at the 2026 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships last month.

Spain took silver and Germany bronze in the women’s competition, while Germany and Hungary took silver and bronze in the men’s competition meaning the same three nations took home all the medals in both competitions.

For Spain, their medals at the EURO continues an incredible, medal-laden run on the sand in recent years. Their senior women’s team took home global bronze at Croatia 2026 a few weeks ago, a year after their men’s silver and women’s gold at the 2025 senior EHF EURO which followed on from both of their youth sides topping the podium at the 2025 IHF Men’s and Women’s Youth Beach Handball World Championships in Tunisia. 

Spain’s women also won gold in the Youth EHF EURO too later last year but could not repeat that this time around as they went down 2-1 (22:19, 16:27, SO 7:6) to Hungary. 

However, their men’s side were able to top the podium, beating Germany 2-1 (28:22, 20:24, SO 8:4) for gold.

Spain’s men get to the top again, eventually

For Spain’s men, it was reward for suffering as silver medallists for three editions in a row – finally getting another gold after winning it last time in 2017. Germany were defending champions and had not lost a single set in the whole competition up until the final.

In the shoot-out, Spain were perfect and after four attempts which they had slotted home, Germany missed their second in the shoot-out to hand their opponents the win, Pau Fernandez top-scoring on 22 points.

Hungary defeated Norway for third place, 2-1 (22:26, 23:20, SO 12:10) the top four spot for Norway their best-ever ranking.

Defending women’s champions edged out by Hungary

Hungary’s victory over Spain in the gold medal match ensured their second younger age EURO title after winning their first five years ago, in 2021.

Csenge Gerzanics was the hero in the shoot-out, the Hungarian defending saving Spain’s fifth attempt, allowing Dorka Borbas to score the single point for the victory.

Germany claimed one of their three medals on the Jarun Lake sand in a week when their side took down Croatia 2-0 (20:19, 22:20), the host nation leading in both sets.

Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games calling

A number of teams competing in Zagreb, will be heading to Dakar, Senegal later in the year for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

Men’s medallists Germany and Hungary and women’s silver medallists Spain had the perfect preparation for Dakar at the YAC EURO, while Croatia (4th) and France (8th) women will look to improve on their continental ranking in the global event taking place in late October and early November.

In total, 16 men’s and 17 women’s teams competed at the YAC 17 EHF Beach Handball EURO 2026, with all games from all four courts streamed live (and available to watch again) on the subscription, paid service, EHFTV.com.

All-star Teams

Men’s competition
MVP: Dave Biyah (Germany)
Best goalkeeper: Vetle Lien Bratten (Norway)
Best defender: Pedro Lozano (Spain)
Top scorer: Pau Fernandez (Spain) — 181 points
Fair play team award: Spain

Women’s competition
MVP: Csenge Gerzanics (Hungary)
Best goalkeeper: Tonka Papic (Croatia)
Best defender: Mia Borkowski (Germany)
Top scorer: Julia Bylica (Poland) — 185 points
Fair play team award: Spain

Final Ranking

Men’s competition
1 Spain
2 Germany
3 Hungary
4 Norway
5 Poland
6 Croatia
7 Czechia
8 France
9 Switzerland
10 Romania
11 Sweden
12 Ukraine
13 Bulgaria
14 Türkiye
15 Serbia
16 Italy

Women’s competition
1 Hungary
2 Spain
3 Germany
4 Croatia
5 Norway
6 Ukraine
7 Czechia
8 France
9 Sweden
10 Bulgaria
11 Romania
12 Türkiye
13 Poland
14 Slovakia
15 Serbia
16 Italy
17 Switzerland

Photo credit: EHF / Kolektiff / Jozo Cabraja