Twelve Teams Advance to Main Round at 2026 European Handball Championship

Results of the Preliminary Group Stage at the 2026 European Handball Championship

According to Главком: The preliminary group stage of the 2026 European Handball Championship has concluded, with twelve national teams securing their places in the main round. The final matches of this stage were played on January 20, 2026. On that day, Portugal claimed a crucial 31:29 victory over Denmark, while Switzerland delivered a stunning performance, overwhelming Montenegro with a 43:26 scoreline. Switzerland's offensive display ranks as the second-highest scoring performance in the history of the European Championships.

Unfortunately, Ukraine's campaign at Euro 2026 has ended, as the team suffered three defeats and finished at the bottom of Group C without any points. The main round matches are scheduled to begin on January 22, 2026, and will run through January 28, 2026.

Main Round Groups

For the main round of the European Handball Championship, the twelve qualified teams have been divided into two groups:

• Group I: France, Denmark, Portugal, Germany, Spain, Norway
• Group II: Slovenia, Iceland, Sweden, Croatia, Hungary, Switzerland

In other news, Ukraine will face Slovakia in a qualifying match for the upcoming Handball World Championship.

The conclusion of the group stage marks a pivotal moment for the tournament, with the remaining contenders now focused on the European title. The European Handball Championship is a major quadrennial event that showcases the continent's top talent. Impressive performances from teams like Portugal and Switzerland have highlighted their growing strength on the international stage. For Ukraine, the early exit and failure to secure a single point will necessitate a period of review and rebuilding for future competitions.