Goals often grab the headlines, but the EHF Excellence Awards also recognise the players who make life difficult for the opposition.
The women’s Best Defender nominees feature several of the sport’s most respected defensive leaders. Team Esbjerg captain Line Haugsted, Odense specialist Maren Aardahl and Györ defender Kelly Dulfer are among the names selected.
Sarah Bouktit, Tatjana Brnovic and Djurdjina Jaukovic also earned nominations after strong defensive campaigns.
On the men’s side, Barcelona star Ludovic Fabregas enters as one of the favourites after anchoring the defence that helped deliver another Champions League title.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Karl Konan, Sporting CP’s Salvador Salvador, Melsungen’s Adrián Sipos, Szeged veteran Borut Mačkovšek and Füchse Berlin’s Mijajlo Marsenić complete the shortlist.
As the Team of the Season voting gets underway, this category will highlight the players whose contributions often go beyond the statistics sheet.