Right back is one of handball’s most explosive positions, combining scoring power and game-changing influence. These five players have dominated club and international stages, and will be decisive at Men’s Euros 2026.
Mathias Gidsel (Denmark)
Can anyone stop him? No. Can his production be lowered? Hardly. Is he the world’s best player? Absolutely.
Kiko Costa (Portugal)
Photo: Mathias Bergeld / BILDBYRÅN
The heir to the right back throne and the major force in world handball is Kiko Costa. What a handballer. The main reason Portugal made a sensational run at last year’s World Championship — and he has only gotten better since.
Omar Ingi Magnusson (Iceland)
Photo: Michael Erichsen / BILDBYRÅN
Almost no other player has scored at the pace Magnusson has for Magdeburg this autumn. He is playing again at the level he reached a few years ago, when he was unstoppable. Considering the form of both Magnusson and Kristjansson (among others) this autumn, things look very interesting for Iceland.
Dika Mem (France)
Photo: Joel Marklund / BILDBYRÅN
France missed out on Olympic gold at home and had to settle for bronze at last year’s World Championship. Dika Mem has not been as sharp as in previous tournaments, which of course has contributed to France’s shortcomings. But we all know what he can do, and when he is at his best, he is on the same level as Mathias Gidsel.
Ivan Martinovic (Croatia)
Here I had to choose between Martinovic and Renārs Uščins. It was close and difficult. I went with Martinovic, as I believe he has been slightly sharper than Uščins this autumn, even though neither player has truly dominated.