The nominees for the EHF Excellence Awards 2026 have been announced, and the left wing category is packed with proven winners, rising stars and some of the most efficient finishers in European handball.
On the women’s side, Metz Handball’s Chloé Valentini enters the race after helping the French club capture its first-ever Champions League title. Norwegian veteran Camilla Herrem is also nominated following another strong season with Sola HK, while CSM Bucuresti’s Emma Friis and Odense’s Elma Halilcevic have both enjoyed productive campaigns.
Andrea Šimara and Nina Dury complete a highly competitive shortlist.
The men’s field is equally impressive
Füchse Berlin’s Tim Freihöfer was one of the Bundesliga season’s standout performers and played a key role in Berlin’s run to the Champions League final. Barcelona youngster Ian Barrufet is another leading candidate after helping the Catalan giants win Europe’s biggest club trophy.
One Veszprém’s Hugo Descat, Sporting CP’s Orri Freyr Þorkelsson, MT Melsungen’s David Mandić and Hannover-Burgdorf scorer August Pedersen are also in contention.
Voting for the Team of the Season opens on 17 June through the Home of Handball app.