With the European Championship approaching, GoHandball asked five leading handball experts to break down the tournament. From gold favourites and potential surprises to tactical trends, key matchups and players to watch, their verdicts paint a clear – and sometimes conflicting – picture of what lies ahead. One thing is certain: Denmark start as the team everyone wants to stop.
Let us first introduce the experts:
Magnus Andersson, former world player of the year, now head coach of Porto
Chris O’Reilly, host of the (Un)informed Handball Hour
Johanna Ahlm, former Swedish international player
Björn Pazen, experienced German handball journalist
Oliver Jørgensen, Danish handball journalist
Hen Livgot, handball expert and licensed professional players’ agent
1, Which team is your favourite to win gold and why?
Magnus: “Denmark are the clear favorites. I find it hard to see any team beating Denmark, even though Sweden and France are the closest challengers.”
Chris: “This feels like it’s Denmark’s title to lose, though that’s something they’ve managed to do at the European Championship quite often in recent years. Despite some worries in key positions, their abundance in world-class talent and a sense of destiny at this EURO makes them my favourites for gold.”
Johanna: “I think Denmark will take the gold again. They have the deepest squad and the biggest stars — and many of them are in top form right now. That makes them extremely hard to stop.”
Björn: “Denmark seem to be unbeatable, especially on home ground, though they miss some top players such as Emil Madsen or Thomas Arnoldsen. The only team, which might beat them, are France, so maybe, both sides face twice – in the main round and the final.”
Oliver: “Denmark – Simon Pytlick seems to be back at his best after the injury (and with the future in place). Emil Nielsen and Saugstrup still the best at their positions. What about Gidsel – any fatigue after a monster year? Well he doesn’t look tired, so it’s a bit difficult not to point at the defending World- and Olympic Champions. Oh, and it’s at home i front of 15.000 supporters. The Euros have been a Nikolaj Jacobsen complex though and I can definitely see a few teams give the hosts a tough time.”
Hen: “My favourite is Denmark. They have the most repeatable winning identity in the field: they can win with pace, they can win with control, and they do not need a perfect day to dominate. They have elite decision-makers in key moments, a goalkeeper who can steal knockout games, and a structure that survives pressure. The main threat is France, because France can match them physically and tactically and have the depth to punish any weakness if Denmark arrive even slightly limited.”
2, Which teams do you expect to be the big surprises, and which ones might underperform?
Magnus: “I always hope for Portugal, but I don’t know if that’s as realistic now given the injuries they have – they don’t really have access to that many players in central defense. Then maybe Iceland can surprise, even though for those of us who follow handball closely, you can see what individually skilled players they have in every position.
There’s a risk that Slovenia will underperform, mainly because they have so many injuries. And where does Hungary stand? They have talented players, but will they succeed or not?”
Chris: “I’m looking towards groups D, E and F for this category as it’s the more open side of the draw. If they can get out of their group, teams such as Switzerland, Faroe Islands and Hungary will see this as a massive opportunity to fight for the semi-finals.
On the flip side, it could become a disastrous tournament very quickly for a major nation as we saw with Denmark, France and Spain in recent years. It might happen to Slovenia this year.
In between the two categories sit Iceland. They have another great opportunity to make a splash and it won’t be the biggest surprise if they fight for a medal. But at the same time, mid-table obscurity is also feasible. I’ve backed them to step up in recent years, so I’m sticking with them.”
Johanna: “When I look at which teams could underperform, the semifinal spots from main round Group 1 will be a tough battle between Germany, Spain, Denmark, France, Portugal, and Norway. I can imagine that none of these nations would be satisfied if they don’t progress further. Iceland, on the other hand, could surprise. They ended up on Sweden’s side of the main round (Group 2), which on paper is significantly more manageable than Group 1.”
Björn: “Faroe Islands and Italy might be the big surprises, or, if we go one step ahead, it is time for Iceland to make it at least to the semis. All of three of them are in the easier half of the tournament. Backed by7500 fans, Oslo will be in the hand of the Faroe fans, and Iceland this time seem to count on all of their stars, without any injuries. The question in terms of underperforming is, how strong Norway is this time. Their home advantage was worth nothing last year, and this year they only have the first stage at home, which either might take the pressure from them or even end in a weaker result than last year. I do not expect Croatia as a medal contender, as their silver medal in 2025 was 110% related to the home advantage until the semi.”
Oliver: “The good: Iceland – They avoid Denmark, France, Germany, Spain and Norway until the semifinals, but nonetheless this could end up with a medal to the Viking for the first time since the Euros 2010.Haven’t been to the semifinals seems either. Might not be the biggest surprise but it would be a great story.
The Bad: Slovenia – No Zarabec, Mackovsek, Vlah and Blagotinsek. Could end up being a good thing with some new blood in Zormans team but I fear they might fall short early. Pretty big favorites to win the group according to bookmakers. Im not so sure.”
Hen:
“Suprises:
Portugal – they have the talent and shot creation to beat a top nation on the right day, and if they start fast they can turn one big win into a real run.
Faroe Islands – they are not a feel-good story, they are organised and fearless, and they already proved they can win qualifier groups and play high-pressure games.
Iceland – if they are healthy and get hot goalkeeping for two straight games, they can jump from dark horse to semi-final level.
Underperformers:
Norway – key availability issues close to the tournament can hurt them, especially in tight main-round games where backcourt power and stability decide everything.
Spain or Croatia – one of them could get pulled into an early survival fight because their group stage is unforgiving and slow starts get punished.”
3, Which player has the best chance of winning the top scorer award?
Magnus: “Everyone probably says Gidsel, so I’ll say Emil Jakobsen will win. He takes Denmark’s penalties and is very good on the fast break.”
Chris: “Mathias Gidsel won this by a landslide at last year’s World Championship and he holds or shares the title at European, World and Olympic level. It’s his for the taking. If not Gidsel, Kiko Costa.”
Johanna: “Gidsel will probably, as usual, play a lot of minutes, so I’m backing Gidsel once again.”
Björn: “First choice – as usual – Mathias Gidsel, second choice: one of the Costa brothers, third choice: Elias Ellefsen á Skipagøtu, fourth choice Omar Ingi Magnusson (for all except Gidsel depending how far their teams come).”
Oliver: “Let’s be honest. Not saying Mathias Gidsel would be crazy.”
Hen: “My top pick is Mathias Gidsel. He already proved he can win a top-scorer race at EURO level and he gets both volume and efficiency in Denmark’s system. The main condition is fitness and workload. If Denmark go deep, he will have the games and the shots. The strongest challengers are the Portugal backcourt scorers, plus France’s Dika Mem if France reach the final weekend.”
4, What tactical trends or emerging playing styles do you think will have the biggest impact on the tournament?
Magnus: “Unfortunately, I think the trend of a lot of man to man duels and isolating players will continue. I also hope we won’t see teams playing seven against six, and that this might become a trend. Possibly a national team might try playing with four backcourt players, just like we’ve seen some club teams do during the season.
Finally, I think the number of steps violations that aren’t called today is terrible for the sport. We see goals scored after seven or eight steps, and it’s the best players who do it. That’s something we within the sport need to address.”
Chris: “I feel teams will be focusing a lot on how to negate the attacking strengths of their rivals, whether it be through versatile and aggressive defences, or pinning the opposition down in their own attack. These tactics may make for some sweaty moments for the big nations.”
Johanna: “On the women’s side, we saw a clear tactical trend: more shooting from distance. However, I don’t think it will have a major impact on the men’s European Championship.”
Björn: “Every team wants to copy Denmark with fast-paced breakthroughs, but in the end, defence will be crucial, so that team, which combines first and second wave with a quick back shift will be successful – so I do not expect something new, but many teams copying and adapting successful tactics.”
Oliver: “I’m excited to see if and how some teams will try to take alternative defensive initiative. 7v6 has been the tool for underdogs for years, but I see more and more teams try different things defensively as well. Also against 7v6. I applaud that and I hope to see more of it.”
Hen: “Faster restarts and more transition goals – teams that score and then immediately defend the next 6-8 seconds will win the big swings.
More 1v1 creation closer to goal – less reliance on long-range shooting, more collapsing the defence and punishing rotations.
7v6 as a planned phase – not panic, but a coached tool, and the best teams will know when to use it and when to punish it.
Defence that changes shape inside the same match – switching between compact and higher pressure without losing structure.
Deeper rotations – pace is higher, recovery is shorter, and teams that can play real second-unit minutes will survive the main round.”
5, Which matches or matchups do you see as the most exciting or pivotal in the tournament?
Magnus: “The main round group which will be decided in Herning, is brutal. There are a lot of exciting matches to look forward to there. I’ll also be following Portugal a bit extra.
Chris: “Staying alive: Faroe Islands vs Switzerland (16 Jan), Austria vs Spain (17 Jan), Netherlands vs Croatia (19 Jan). Bigger picture: France vs Norway (19 Jan), Denmark vs Portugal (20 Jan), Hungary vs Iceland (20 Jan).”
Johanna: “For Sweden, the opening match against the Netherlands will be absolutely crucial. That game sets the tone for the rest of the tournament and could determine how far Sweden go. And the match against Croatia is likely to be intense — I’m expecting strong home support for the Croatians in the arena.”
Björn: “The main group in Herning something like four days of quarter-finals already, maybe Portugal will be the lucky charm in this hammer-group, and of course Sweden vs Iceland for the first main round place in Malmö.”
Oliver: “France-Norway and Spain-Germany are both gonna be crazy. Huge impact on the chances for a top-4 spot. Second screens galore on January 19th.”
Hen: “The matches that decide this EURO are identity clashes, not just big names.
Denmark vs France – the reference-point matchup. Whoever wins it usually owns the tournament mentally, even if there is a rematch later.
France vs Sweden – Sweden’s test against elite physicality and depth. If Sweden survive and win, they become gold-level.
Denmark vs Germany – Germany’s stress test versus elite tempo and pressure. If they hold up, they are a real medal threat.
Portugal vs a top-3 nation – Portugal’s breakthrough checkpoint. If they win one of those, the hierarchy changes.And the most dangerous stage is the quarterfinals – that’s where favourites die when they arrive tired or emotionally flat.”
6, Name one player to keep an eye on, and why?
Magnus: “I might get fired now that I mention Sporting players, but the Costa brothers are already at world-class level, which they’ve shown all year in the Champions League and also in the recent matches. Watching Gidsel play is a joy, but Kiko and Martim are special players – and they’re still extremely young.
Chris: “Elohim Prandi is hardly a player fans need an introduction to but he could have a championship of a lifetime this month. He has hit incredible form this season, carrying a struggling PSG team along, now he gets to shine with a scarily good back court by his side.”
Johanna: “Marko Grgić (Germany) — last season’s top scorer in the Bundesliga and already a key player for Flensburg. Patrick Helland Anderson (Norway) — an outsider. With several right backs unavailable, he could be given a major role despite still being relatively unestablished.”
Björn: “From a German point of view: Juri Knorr to see how he developed in Denmark, in general Olli Mittun as the youngest driving force of the Faroe team – and third is Spanish wing Ian Barrufet.”
Oliver: “Axel Månsson, Oli Mittun and Patrick Helland Anderson.”
Hen: “Óli Mittún. Besides his cousin Elias, he is the Faroes’ next true game-driver. In the last youth category, at U21 level, he did not just stand out – he dominated: he was MVP and led the tournament in goals and assists. That profile matters because it shows he is not only a scorer, he runs the whole attack. I expect that influence to carry into the senior EURO because his decision-making under pressure is already elite, and he has proven it across multiple youth championships.”
7, Name your top three players heading into the tournament?
Magnus: “Gidsel, of course, and maybe also Pytlick, especially now that he’s been in the spotlight because of his strange transfer. Then Kiko Costa also has to be mentioned.”
Chris: “Mathias Gidsel, Elohim Prandi, Kiko Costa.”
Johanna: “Felix Claar, Gísli Kristjánsson, and Simon Pytlick — they represent the kind of fast, creative handball that I truly appreciate.”
Björn: “Emil Nielsen, Mathias Gidsel, Kico Costa.”
Hen: “Mathias Gidsel – the most decisive all-around attacker in the tournament, a player who can tilt any match by himself. Dika Mem – France’s big-game right back weapon, built for physical knockout handball. Emil Nielsen – goalkeepers decide knockouts, and he is the type who can win you a quarterfinal on his own.