7 reasons why you should attend the Main Round matches in Budapest
We’re just over halfway through the competition with 36 games played and 29 to go, half of the teams have been sent packing, but the best is yet to come! Only the best of the best remain so we’re in for a lot of quality handball and a lot of fierce battles, but the atmosphere will also be spectacular in and around the Budapest handball arena. We show you 7 reasons to attend the Main Round starting Thursday.
Anyone who attended the preliminary round matches in the Budapest handball arena can attest to the fantastic atmosphere provided by the 20.000 fans. For those who did not, we recommend trying out the experience, because it is truly magnicifent when you get goosebumps from everyone jumping up from their seats at the same time or just the rhythmic encouragement coming from the biggest handball fans in the world.
1. The atmosphere
Anyone who attended the preliminary round matches in the Budapest handball arena can attest to the fantastic atmosphere provided by the 20.000 fans. For those who did not, we recommend trying out the experience, because it is truly magnicifent when you get goosebumps from everyone jumping up from their seats at the same time or just the rhythmic encouragement coming from the biggest handball fans in the world.
2. The arena
The new, magical home and jewelry box of European handball, Hungary’s largest multifunctional hall is the central venue for the EHF EURO 2022. It spreads out on over 50,000 square metres with a high point of 40,5 metres with a capacity of more than 20,000 people. There are three floor of stands, the bottom one can welcome up to 9 thousand people and the upper tier has a capacity of 10 thousand. One of the arena’s pride and joy is the huge 12-tonne scoreboard with over 14 million pixels.
3. Elite performances from the best national teams in the world
Most of the best national teams will play their Main Round matches in Budapest, like the defending World Champion, Olympic runner-up, two-time EHF EURO winner Denmark, the defending Olympic champion, six-time World Champion, three-time EHF EURO winner France and EHF EURO 2020 silver medalist Croatia.
But Iceland, who won host Hungary’s preliminary group will also participate, as well as two surprise teams, the heroic Sloven-beater Montenegro and the Netherlands, who deservedly advanced to the Main Round for the first time in their history. It does not get any better than this!
4. The biggest stars of handball
We probably don’t have to intruduce French Nikola Karabatic and Danish Mikkel Hansen as both are regarded as the best handball players of all time, but both will play their Main Round matches in the Budapest handball arena. The two of them supplemented with Danish goalkeeper Niklas Landin are the last five winners of the IHF World Player of the Year award.The list does not stop there, because the best of the best are coming to Budapest, for example Vincent Gerard (goalkeeper, FRA), Magnus Saugstrup (line player, DEN) Ludovic Fabregas (line player, FRA), Hugo Descat (left wing, FRA), Mathias Gidsel (right back, DEN), Dika Mem (right back, FRA), Aron Palmarsson (centre back, IZL), Luc Steins (centre back, NED).
5. Goals, goals and even more goals
The EHF EURO 2022 has already produced 2012 goals in the first 36 matches played in the competition, an average of 55.88 goals per game, which is the highest number since 2010. Of the top three nations in this category, two will play their Main Round matches in Budapest: Denmark scored 95 times, while France netted 92 times and even the Netherlands went over the avarage of 30. The top scorer of the tournament will also be on the floor in the Hungarian capital, Kay Smith scored 32 goals already, which is unprecedented in the history of the EHF EURO after only three matches.
6. Fan activities
The national suppliers of the EHF EURO 2022 are preparing some fan activites for you to enjoy. There will be a fan wall, you can charge your phone in the Telekom Chill Zone of you can send digital gifts to yourself thanks to the Selfie Robot. Naturally you will be able to buy merchandise such as shirts, hats or handballs. If you become hungry or thirsty, you may take advantage of the Fresh Corner tuk-tuks or the traditional concession stands.
7. Fan zone
On every matchday in Budapest, we will be waiting for handball fans with catering service, activities, quizzes and of course a joint match viewing in the Fan Zone next to the Budapest handball arena. Among other things, you can try out the Watch Games.See More. handball skills test, an adventure park with the latest digital equipment, a multiball set up with the support of the Hungarian Student Sports Federation and a special commentator's stand. Access to the Fan Zone is possible with a valid Budapest daily ticket or bundle.
Main Round, Day 1:
Montenegro-Croatia 15:30
France-Netherlands 18:00
Denmark-Iceland 20:30
You can buy tickets for the games here.
