List: The best centre backs at the 2024 European Championship

The 2024 European Championship is getting closer, and in a series of articles Ola Selby, reporter at GoHandball, picks his 5 best players at each position. Now we move on to the playmakers.

Here are the players:

Mie Højlund, Denmark

Mie Højlund. Photo: Mathilda Ahlberg / BILDBYRÅN

Has performed better at championships, including during the home WC in 2023, than she did during the last Olympics. But despite that, there is no doubt that Højlund belongs to the world’s top when it comes to centre backs. Fast, smart, and a great goal scorer – a combination that makes her a key player for Denmark.

Estelle Nze Minko, France

Estelle Nze Minko Photo: Petter Arvidson / BILDBYRÅN

There have been a few rumors that Nze Minko would possibly stop playing in the national team, but that will not be the case (yet). Lucky for France as Nze Minko is the team’s most important player. Has no weaknesses in her game and has played at a high level for many years.

Michala Möller, Denmark

Michala Möller. Photo: Mathilda Ahlberg / BILDBYRÅN

Has had a big impact during the autumn in Tomas Axnér’s Team Esbjerg, where she has been one of the best players in the Champions League. The 24-year-old has contributed with 36 goals and 21 assists for Esbjerg in the CL and perhaps this means that she will get a bigger role during the EC than she had before in the national team.

Petra Vamos, Hungary

Petra Vamos. Photo: Michael Erichsen / BILDBYRÅN

Just getting better and better, even though the autumn in Metz has seen it’s fair share of ups and downs. Still young and is almost always great for the national team. Will be extremely important for Hungary – if they are to get past the main round and to the semi-finals they need to defeat Sweden or France. And if they are to succeed in that, the centre back must perform at her best.

Tamara Horacek, France

Tamara Horacek. Photo: Petter Arvidson / BILDBYRÅN

Finished second in the scoring league in the Olympics. Horacek had her big international breakthrough during the 2023 WC when she was one of the best players of the entire championship, and she certainly continued on the beaten path during the summer Olympics. Has most of what a centre back needs to have and will certainly score a lot of goals during the EC as well.