EHF EURO 2022 – Men’s EHF European Handball Championship 2022

EHF EURO 2022

The 15th European Men’s Handball Championship will be co-organized by Hungary and Slovakia from 13 to 30 January 2022.
Both nations will host the best handball players in Europe for the first time, this will be the second time the continent tournament will be held in a shared order.

The first European Championships were held in 1994 in Portugal – with 12 teams – and until 2018, the tournament was always hosted by a different country. In 2020, however, three nations, Sweden, Austria and Norway, hosted the European Championship, the first event, which was no longer attended by 16 but 24 teams.

Qualification for the European Championship



The qualification series for the tournament lasted from January 2019 to May 2021. The two organizers, Hungary and Slovakia, as well as the two finalists from the previous European Championships, the gold medalist Spain and the silver medalist Croatia, are individual participants of the tournament; so teams from 44 nations fighted for the remaining 20 places.

In the last stage of the qualification system the 32 teams were split into eight groups of four (the group drawn was held on 20 of June 2020), with the winners and runners-up qualifyied for the EC, together with the four best third-placed teams.

(The four individual participants of the tournament played matches in the Euro Cup, a new series announced by the European Federation before the previous Championships).

Groups of the European Championship

The official draw of the European Championship was held on May 6 in Budapest.

European Championship groups:

The group (Location: Főnix Arena, Debrecen):
Slovenia, Denmark, North Macedonia, Montenegro
Group B (Venue: budapest handball arena ):
Portugal, Hungary, Iceland, the Netherlands
Group C (Location: PICK Arena):
Croatia, Serbia, France, Ukraine
Group D (Location: Ondrej Nepela Arena, Bratislava):
Germany, Austria, Belarus, Poland
This group (Location: Ondrej Nepela Arena, Bratislava):
Spain, Sweden, Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group F (Location: Steel Arena, Kosice):
Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Lithuania

Schedule


During the 17 playing days of the EHF EURO 2022 the fans can experience 65 of the best games in handball.
The 24 teams from Europe will play the group matches starting in January 13 in six groups, in the five organizing cities of the tournament, Budapest, Szeged, Debrecen, Košice and Bratislava. The Slovak capital will host the fights of two groups until January 18. The two best seeded teams from each group (a total of 12 teams) will elevate into the main round starting on January 20, in two groups, in Budapest and Bratislava from where the top six will participate in the final weekend (28-30 January 2022) in Budapest.
The first two places in the group will advance to the semi-finals and fight for medals, the third place will play for 5th place. The final of the European Championship will be held on January 30 at the budapest handball arena.
 
 

Medal history



So far, six nations boast European Championship titles, Sweden leads the table with four gold medals (and one silver), France three times, Denmark, Spain and Germany two each, and Russia once won the European Championship. The Spanish national team has the most medals yet, in addition to the two golds, four silver and two bronze. Croatia is seventh on the medal table with three silver and three bronze medals.

A total of 12 countries won at least one medal (including Yugoslavia).
Two nations were able to defend their title, plus Sweden could do so twice (both in the final after overtime!), after winning a gold medal in 2000 and 2002 after 1998. Spain has the other doubling, even the last two European Championships (2018, 2020).

Hungary and Slovakia have not won a medal either, their first best position was a 6th place, back in 1998, most recently on 9th place, while the Slovak team qualified for the tournament in 2006, 2008 and 2012, each time finished on 16th place.

BUDAPEST


If you were to ask what comes to mind about Budapest, the historical spas and bathing culture of the city would most certainly be among your first tips. Out of Hungary's more than a thousand natural springs, 118 burst only right here in Budapest, its world-famous spas are iconic locations. But not only because of this, Budapest is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Its unparalleled rich architectural and historical monuments, the Danube Promenade and the Danube panorama, the city's characteristic bridges, cultural life and constantly bustling nature attract millions every year.

And when you think of the impressive gastronomic offer based on the fusion of traditional and new wave lines, Hungarian wines, shopping streets, versatile cafes, and vibrant nightlife, it is already clear why you will be lucky in January 2022, during the European Championship. Everything is close by in Budapest, something is always happening in Budapest, you are always at home in Budapest.

BUDAPEST


If you were to ask what comes to mind about Budapest, the historical spas and bathing culture of the city would most certainly be among your first tips. Out of Hungary's more than a thousand natural springs, 118 burst only right here in Budapest, its world-famous spas are iconic locations. But not only because of this, Budapest is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Its unparalleled rich architectural and historical monuments, the Danube Promenade and the Danube panorama, the city's characteristic bridges, cultural life and constantly bustling nature attract millions every year.

And when you think of the impressive gastronomic offer based on the fusion of traditional and new wave lines, Hungarian wines, shopping streets, versatile cafes, and vibrant nightlife, it is already clear why you will be lucky in January 2022, during the European Championship. Everything is close by in Budapest, something is always happening in Budapest, you are always at home in Budapest.

The capital – which regularly hosts the four finals of the EHF Champions League for women’s handball – has already hosted the European Women’s Handball Championship, now it’s the men’s turn.


 
 

budapest handball arena


Maximum capacity: 20 022
The central arena of the EHF EURO 2022 will be built specifically for the occasion of the tournament. It will be able to accommodate more than 20,000 people, making it the largest multifunctional building in Hungary. Its stands will be three-storey, the lower part can host 9,000 and the upper part 10,000 spectators.

In addition to domestic and international sport events, it will be suitable for large concerts, performances and entertainment productions, as well as other events that attract a significant number of guests.



BUDAPEST ARENA


Maximum capacity: 20 022
The central arena of the EHF EURO 2022 will be built specifically for the occasion of the tournament. It will be able to accommodate more than 20,000 people, making it the largest multifunctional building in Hungary. Its stands will be three-storey, the lower part can host 9,000 and the upper part 10,000 spectators.

In addition to domestic and international sport events, it will be suitable for large concerts, performances and entertainment productions, as well as other events that attract a significant number of guests.
 
 


DEBRECEN


Hungary’s second most populous city, the so called „Calvinist Rome” is known for its thriving culture, prosperous university life and bustling international student life. Rich in historically preserved and modern buildings, shopping streets, pubs and cafés, the city is also credited with its internationally significant programs.

The summer Campus Festival, the Flower Carnival, the Aquaticum spa and thermal bath attract many thousands of people to the city, but the cultural palette of Debrecen is colorful all year round.

It has hosted a number of international sport events, including the European Championships in Gymnastics, Ice Dance and Speed Skating and also Women’s Handball Championship, as well as the World Hockey Championship.


DEBRECEN


Hungary’s second most populous city, the so called „Calvinist Rome” is known for its thriving culture, prosperous university life and bustling international student life. Rich in historically preserved and modern buildings, shopping streets, pubs and cafés, the city is also credited with its internationally significant programs.

The summer Campus Festival, the Flower Carnival, the Aquaticum spa and thermal bath attract many thousands of people to the city, but the cultural palette of Debrecen is colorful all year round.

It has hosted a number of international sport events, including the European Championships in Gymnastics, Ice Dance and Speed Skating and also Women’s Handball Championship, as well as the World Hockey Championship.


FŐNIX ARENA


Maximum capacity: 6500
It is the second largest multifunctional sports hall in Hungary, which is connected to the neighboring Imre Hódos Sports Hall by an underground corridor.

David Copperfield, Joe Cocker, Bryan Adams or Lenny Kravitz, among others, gave performances in the Főnix Hall, and its main sporting events were the Gymnastics World and European Championship, the Speed Skating World Championship, the Short Track Speed Skating Championship, Ice Hockey World Championship (Division 1/A), the Women's Basketball European Championship. In 2014, it hosted a group stage and a semi-final of the European Women’s Handball Championship as well.



FŐNIX ARENA


Maximum capacity: (during sport events) 6500
It is the second largest multifunctional sports hall in Hungary, which is connected to the neighboring Imre Hódos Sports Hall by an underground corridor.
David Copperfield, Joe Cocker, Bryan Adams or Lenny Kravitz, among others, gave performances in the Főnix Hall, and its main sporting events were the Gymnastics World and European Championship, the Speed Skating World Championship, the Short Track Speed Skating Championship, Ice Hockey World Championship (Division 1/A), the Women's Basketball European Championship. In 2014, it hosted a group stage and a semi-final of the European Women’s Handball Championship as well.


SZEGED


It is the third largest city in Hungary, an economic, commercial, scientific and cultural center with a vibrant university life. Students spend most of the year covering and filling the city’s historic streets, the banks of the Tisza river, the city center and the university clubs. One of the most attractive tourist destinations in Hungary with its plenty of landscaped green spaces full of benches, its almost never ending pedestrian streets with its cafes, with the abundance of architectural monuments in the Old Town, and the traditionally prepared fish soup, and the all-year-round cultural events (a signature one is the Szegedi Szabadtéri Játékok – a summer long outdoor theatrical festival) and other festivals, and with a lavish spa as well.

The most popular sport in the city is handball, the multiple Hungarian champion MOL-Pick Szeged has won the EHF Cup before and is a regular participant in the EHF Velux Champions League.


SZEGED


It is the third largest city in Hungary, an economic, commercial, scientific and cultural center with a vibrant university life. Students spend most of the year covering and filling the city’s historic streets, the banks of the Tisza river, the city center and the university clubs. One of the most attractive tourist destinations in Hungary with its plenty of landscaped green spaces full of benches, its almost never ending pedestrian streets with its cafes, with the abundance of architectural monuments in the Old Town, and the traditionally prepared fish soup, and the all-year-round cultural events (a signature one is the Szegedi Szabadtéri Játékok – a summer long outdoor theatrical festival) and other festivals, and with a lavish spa as well.

The most popular sport in the city is handball, the multiple Hungarian champion MOL-Pick Szeged has won the EHF Cup before and is a regular participant in the EHF Velux Champions League.


PICK ARENA


Maximum capacity: 8143

Hungary’s second largest multifunctional facility will be built on the occasion of the EHF EURO 2022, on the banks of the Tisza. After the tournament, it will serve as home of the city's number one team, Pick-Szeged.

It will also be suitable for hosting concerts, cultural events, exhibitions and conferences.



PICK ARENA


Maximum capacity: 8143

Hungary’s second largest multifunctional facility will be built on the occasion of the EHF EURO 2022, on the banks of the Tisza. After the tournament, it will serve as home of the city's number one team, Pick-Szeged.

It will also be suitable for hosting concerts, cultural events, exhibitions and conferences.


Tickets