2026 European Women's Handball Championship qualification
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dates7 March 2025 –
12 April 2026
12 April 2026
Teams30
Matchesplayed81
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | 7 March 2025 – 12 April 2026 |
| Teams | 30 |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 81 |
The 2026 European Women's Handball Championship qualification was a handball competition that was played from March 2025 to April 2026 to determine the 16 EHF member women's national teams that would join the automatically qualified teams in the final tournament. Alongside the qualifiers, the EHF Euro Cup also took place.
A total of 30 EHF member associations entered the qualifying process alongside the 8 teams in the EHF Euro Cup. The draw for the qualifying group stage took place in Cluj-Napoca on 20 March 2025.
The qualification consisted of two phases:
- Phase 1
Nine bottom-ranked teams were drawn into three groups of three. The groups were played in a single-round-robin system, with the group winners advancing to phase 2 and joining the remaining teams.
- Phase 2
Three phase 1 winners and 21 top-ranked teams were drawn into six groups of four. The groups were played in a double-round-robin system. The top two teams from each group and the best four third-placed teams qualified for the final tournament.
Qualification phase 1
The groups were played at a single venue.
Draw
The draw took place on 20 December 2024.[1]
Seeding
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 |
|---|---|---|
 Bosnia and Herzegovina Lithuania Luxembourg |
 Bulgaria Cyprus Great Britain |
 Belgium Estonia Malta |
Groups
Group 1
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bosnia and Herzegovina (H) |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 35 | +21 | 4 | Qualification phase 2 |
| 2 | Estonia |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 55 | 56 | −1 | 2 | |
| 3 | Great Britain |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 40 | 60 | −20 | 0 |
Source: EHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
(H) Hosts
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
(H) Hosts
| 7 March 2025 17:00 |
Estonia |
20–31 | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
KSPC Mejdan, Tuzla Attendance: 400 Referees: Pavićević, Martinović (MNE) |
| Gorbatsjova 5 | (8–14) | Bošnjak 7 | ||
1× 4× |
Report | 2×
|
| 8 March 2025 17:00 |
Great Britain |
25–35 | Estonia |
KSPC Mejdan, Tuzla Attendance: 100 Referees: Pavićević, Martinović (MNE) |
| Luke 9 | (14–19) | Molkova 11 | ||
| 1× 1× |
Report | 5×
|
| 9 March 2025 17:00 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
25–15 | Great Britain |
KSPC Mejdan, Tuzla Attendance: 450 Referees: Pavićević, Martinović (MNE) |
| Topčić 7 | (12–9) | Kesselring 4 | ||
| 3× |
Report | 1× 4×
|
Group 2
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lithuania |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 66 | 31 | +35 | 4 | Qualification phase 2 |
| 2 | Bulgaria (H) |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 60 | 41 | +19 | 2 | |
| 3 | Malta |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 22 | 76 | −54 | 0 |
Source: EHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
(H) Hosts
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
(H) Hosts
| 7 March 2025 17:30 |
Bulgaria |
37–14 | Malta |
Palace of Culture and Sports, Varna Attendance: 750 Referees: Bočáková, Jánošíková (SVK) |
| Spasova 10 | (19–9) | Schiavone 5 | ||
| 1× 6× |
Report | 2×
|
| 8 March 2025 15:00 |
Malta |
8–39 | Lithuania |
Palace of Culture and Sports, Varna Attendance: 150 Referees: Bočáková, Jánošíková (SVK) |
| Petrella 3 | (3–17) | Andronik 7 | ||
| 3× |
Report | 1× 3×
|
| 9 March 2025 13:00 |
Lithuania |
27–23 | Bulgaria |
Palace of Culture and Sports, Varna Attendance: 1,000 Referees: Bočáková, Jánošíková (SVK) |
| Pilikauskaitė 8 | (16–11) | Panayotova 6 | ||
| 4× |
Report | 1× 4×
|
Group 3
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgium |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 41 | +13 | 4 | Qualification phase 2 |
| 2 | Cyprus (H) |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 44 | 42 | +2 | 2 | |
| 3 | Luxembourg |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 44 | 59 | −15 | 0 |
Source: EHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
(H) Hosts
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
(H) Hosts
| 7 March 2025 18:00 |
Cyprus |
18–21 | Belgium |
Eleftheria Indoor Hall, Nicosia Attendance: 800 Referees: Peretz, Schwartz (ISR) |
| Papa 8 | (12–12) | N. Antonissen 6 | ||
| 1× |
Report | 1× 3×
|
| 8 March 2025 18:00 |
Belgium |
33–23 | Luxembourg |
Eleftheria Indoor Hall, Nicosia Attendance: 300 Referees: Peretz, Schwartz (ISR) |
| N. Antonissen 8 | (17–10) | Dautaj 6 | ||
2× 3× 1× |
Report | 5×
|
| 9 March 2025 18:00 |
Luxembourg |
21–26 | Cyprus |
Eleftheria Indoor Hall, Nicosia Attendance: 550 Referees: Peretz, Schwartz (ISR) |
| Cilovic 6 | (8–17) | Konstantinidou 10 | ||
| 1× 3× |
Report | 2× 1× 1×
|
Qualification phase 2
EHF Euro Cup
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | 15 October 2025 – 27 September 2026 |
| Teams | 8 (from 1 confederation) |
The EHF Euro Cup took place for the third time and was played by the 2026 co-hosts and the three best-placed teams of the 2024 European Championship.[2] This was the first time the eight teams participated in the tournament, up from four from the previous two editions.
Composition of teams
| Team | Qualification method | Date of qualification | Appearance(s) | Previous best performance | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | First | Last | Streak | ||||
 Czech Republic |
Co-hosts | 8 March 2024 | 1st | Debut | |||
 Poland |
1st | Debut | |||||
 Romania |
1st | Debut | |||||
 Slovakia |
1st | Debut | |||||
 Turkey |
1st | Debut | |||||
 Denmark |
Top three at 2024 edition | 13 December 2024 | 1st | Debut | |||
 Norway |
3rd | 2022 | 2024 | 3 | Champions (2022, 2024) | ||
 Hungary |
15 December 2024 | 2nd | 2024 | 2 | Runners-up (2024) | ||
Preliminary round
Group 1
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norway |
6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 206 | 130 | +76 | 12 | Semifinals |
| 2 | Romania |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 188 | 182 | +6 | 8 | |
| 3 | Poland |
6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 165 | 176 | −11 | 4 | |
| 4 | Slovakia |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 124 | 195 | −71 | 0 |
Source: EHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
| 15 October 2025 18:15 |
Norway |
29–27 | Romania |
Jotron Arena Larvik, Larvik Attendance: 3,184 Referees: Weijmans, Wolbertus (NED) |
| Reistad 10 | (16–11) | Grozav 7 | ||
| 1× 2× |
Report | 1×
|
| 16 October 2025 18:00 |
Poland |
28–20 | Slovakia |
Hala widowiskowo-sportowa MOSiR w Mielcu, Mielec Attendance: 1,534 Referees: Duplii, Pobedrina (UKR) |
| Balsam 10 | (15–8) | Lancz 5 | ||
| 5× |
Report | 4×
|
| 19 October 2025 14:00 |
Slovakia |
19–31 | Norway |
Gopass Arena, Bratislava Attendance: 3,202 Referees: Jakovljević, Kovačević (SRB) |
| Lancz 8 | (9–18) | Henriksen, Hovden 6 | ||
| 4× |
Report | 3×
|
| 19 October 2025 18:00 |
Romania |
34–29 | Poland |
Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 3,230 Referees: Fotakidis, Kinatzidis (GRE) |
| Grozav 8 | (15–15) | Cygan 7 | ||
| 3× |
Report | 4×
|
| 5 March 2026 18:00 |
Poland |
24–31 | Norway |
Hala widowiskowo-sportowa RCS w Lubinie, Lubin Attendance: 3,249 Referees: Maia, Nunes (POR) |
| Kobylińska, Rosiak 4 | (11–18) | Reistad 9 | ||
| 5× |
Report | 1× 1×
|
| 5 March 2026 18:00 |
Slovakia |
26–32 | Romania |
Chemkostav Aréna, Michalovce Attendance: 902 Referees: Cournil, Lamour (FRA) |
| Lancz 5 | (9–18) | Grozav 10 | ||
| 1× 3× |
Report | 3×
|
| 7 March 2026 18:15 |
Norway |
32–16 | Poland |
Steinkjerhallen, Steinkjer Attendance: 3,207 Referees: Fält, Holm (SWE) |
| Reistad 6 | (17–8) | Uścinowicz 4 | ||
| 2× |
Report | 3×
|
| 8 March 2026 18:00 |
Romania |
32–19 | Slovakia |
TeraPlast Arena, Bistrița Attendance: 2,700 Referees: Pavićević, Martinović (MNE) |
| Grozav 7 | (16–8) | three players 3 | ||
| 1× 2× |
Report | 1×
|
| 8 April 2026 18:00 |
Romania |
25–45 | Norway |
Polyvalent Hall - Ioan Kunst Ghermanescu, Bucharest Attendance: 4,300 Referees: Simone, Monitillo (ITA) |
| Seraficeanu 5 | (9–24) | Henriksen 6 | ||
| Report | 1× 3×
|
| 8 April 2026 18:00 |
Slovakia |
21–34 | Poland |
Mestská Sportova hala Sala, Šaľa Attendance: 1,169 Referees: Dašić, Husomanović (NOR) |
| Pócsíková 4 | (10–13) | Balsam 11 | ||
| 1× 6× |
Report | 2× 3×
|
| 12 April 2026 18:00 |
Poland |
34–38 | Romania |
Radomskie Centrum Sportu, Radom Attendance: 2,946 Referees: Oyarzun, Zaragüeta (ESP) |
| Rosiak 8 | (15–21) | Roșu 7 | ||
| 1× |
Report | 7×
|
| 12 April 2026 18:00 |
Norway |
38–19 | Slovakia |
Aquarama, Kristiansand Attendance: 2,000 Referees: Harðarson, Magnússon (ISL) |
| Wollik 10 | (20–5) | Šcípová 4 | ||
| 1× 3× |
Report | 2×
|
Group 2
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denmark |
6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 203 | 132 | +71 | 12 | Semifinals |
| 2 | Hungary |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 187 | 147 | +40 | 8 | |
| 3 | Czech Republic |
6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 157 | 182 | −25 | 4 | |
| 4 | Turkey |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 149 | 235 | −86 | 0 |
Source: EHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
| 15 October 2025 20:00 |
Denmark |
41–25 | Czech Republic |
Spar Nord BOXEN, Nykøbing Falster Attendance: 2,631 Referees: Fabryczny, Rawicki (POL) |
| Tranborg 7 | (21–12) | Cholevová 8 | ||
| 3× |
Report | 2×
|
| 16 October 2025 19:00 |
Hungary |
43–30 | Turkey |
Kanizsa Aréna, Nagykanizsa Attendance: 2,977 Referees: Sekulić, Jovandić (SRB) |
| Simon 6 | (19–15) | Akgün 6 | ||
| 1× 1× |
Report | 1×
|
| 19 October 2025 17:00 |
Turkey |
24–41 | Denmark |
THF Sports Hall, Ankara Attendance: 1,200 Referees: Pirvu, Potirniche (ROU) |
| Tügel 5 | (9–20) | Østergaard 7 | ||
| 3× |
Report | 1× 3×
|
| 19 October 2025 19:00 |
Czech Republic |
20–31 | Hungary |
UNYP Arena, Prague Attendance: 1,895 Referees: Praštalo, Balvan (BIH) |
| Malá 5 | (9–15) | Klujber 6 | ||
| 4× |
Report | 1×
|
| 4 March 2026 17:00 |
Turkey |
26–34 | Czech Republic |
Kastamonu Merkez Spor Salonu, Kastamonu Attendance: 4,000 Referees: Brodić, Hodžić (CRO) |
| Akgün 6 | (11–18) | Desortová 8 | ||
| 4× |
Report | 1× 3×
|
| 5 March 2026 18:00 |
Hungary |
19–21 | Denmark |
Tatabányai Multifunkcionális Sportcsarnok, Tatabánya Attendance: 5,138 Referees: Bočáková, Jánošíková (SVK) |
| Simon 5 | (9–9) | Højlund 6 | ||
| 1× 1× |
Report | 4×
|
| 7 March 2026 17:30 |
Czech Republic |
36–24 | Turkey |
Datart Hala, Zlín Attendance: 1,980 Referees: Stancu (ROU), Pepe ( ITA) |
| Desortová 8 | (17–12) | Gökdemir, Tügel 6 | ||
| 1× 1× |
Report | 1× 4×
|
| 8 March 2026 16:00 |
Denmark |
31–22 | Hungary |
Arena Svendborg, Svendborg Attendance: 3,203 Referees: Picard, Vauchez (FRA) |
| Jørgensen 8 | (14–7) | Vámos 5 | ||
| 1× 3× |
Report | 3×
|
| 8 April 2026 18:00 |
Turkey |
23–42 | Hungary |
Hasan Dağı Spor Salonu, Aksaray Attendance: 3,000 Referees: Bujupi, Bujupi (KOS) |
| Öztürk 8 | (14–22) | Klujber, Márton 7 | ||
| 3× |
Report | 1×
|
| 9 April 2026 17:30 |
Czech Republic |
20–30 | Denmark |
UNYP Arena, Prague Attendance: 1,503 Referees: Jerlecki, Łabuń (POL) |
| Desortová 10 | (7–17) | Jørgensen, Scaglione 6 | ||
| 1× |
Report | 1×
|
| 11 April 2026 18:00 |
Hungary |
30–22 | Czech Republic |
Érd Aréna, Érd Attendance: 1,848 Referees: Yovchev, Yonchev (BUL) |
| Klujber 8 | (16–13) | Desortová 7 | ||
| 1× 6× |
Report | 1× 4×
|
| 12 April 2026 16:00 |
Denmark |
39–22 | Turkey |
Sydbank Arena, Kolding Attendance: 2,057 Referees: Watson, Welin (SWE) |
| Halilcevic 8 | (22–14) | Bozdoğan 5 | ||
| Report | 3×
|
Knockout stage
Bracket
| Semi-finals | Final | |||||
| 21 September | ||||||
| Norway | ||||||
| 27 September | ||||||
| Hungary | ||||||
| 21 September | ||||||
| Denmark | ||||||
| Romania | ||||||
| Third place | ||||||
| 27 September | ||||||
Semifinals
| 21–27 September 2026 | Norway |
v | Hungary |
|
| 21–27 September 2026 | Denmark |
v | Romania |
|
Third place game
| 21–27 September 2026 | LSF1 | v | LSF2 | |
Final
| 21–27 September 2026 | WSF1 | v | WSF2 | |