Three major handball tournaments not to be missed in 2025

The EHF Champions League is the premier event in European handball, where the continent’s best teams face each other every year. Powerful shots, frenzied tactics and an unspeakable atmosphere ensure that millions of fans around the world follow every match.

History of the EHF Champions League: from the first matches to Europe’s most important tournament

The EHF Champions League has played a major role in popularising handball across Europe, especially in the East. The tournaments have attracted huge spectator attention, created a unique atmosphere and enthralled thousands of fans. Thanks to the increasing number of TV and internet broadcasts, the number of spectators of the final matches has steadily increased, which has contributed to the further development of handball and attracted new handball fans.

Becoming

The EHF Champions League saw the light of day in 1993, replacing the old format of the European Champions Cup. In the early years, only a few top clubs participated in the tournament, but its popularity grew rapidly. By the 2000s, the competition had become the place where the best players from all over Europe gathered. As the format changed over the years, the number of participants increased and the tournament grew to 32 teams, allowing representatives from different countries to compete for the right to be called the best.

Sponsors such as Velux played an important role in its development, as they supported the competition for a long time, adding financial stability and prestige. In the 2010s, the league gained the status of the world’s biggest handball event, with thousands of fans in the Lanxess Arena in Cologne.

EHF Champions League game rules: tournament structure and key features

Major changes in tournament rules have had a major impact on the play and spectacle of the matches. There have been numerous adjustments over the past 10 years, including changes to the format of the matches, which have become more dynamic and fair for all participants. The new rules for the teams have led to more entertainment, which is especially reflected in the knockout stages, where the competition has become more intense and exciting.

What you need to know about the EHF Champions League rules

The competition consists of several stages, each of which is unique. First, there is the group stage, where 16 teams are divided into groups. Each team plays home and away matches, ensuring a level playing field and a unique atmosphere for fans. The best representatives are removed from the groups and the play-off phase begins, a true battle of titans in which there is no margin for error.

The final stage is called the Final Four and takes place in one location: Cologne (Germany). There, the fate of the cup is decided and every year fans flock to the Lanxess Arena to witness the most spectacular match of the season. The teams taking part in the final show their best, as winning the EHF Champions League means not only prestige, but also a place in the history of world handball.

The EHF Champions League participants: who dominates the European stage?

Top teams play a key role in the development of young talent. The academies of clubs like Barcelona and PSG actively invest in the development of their young players and create the best conditions for their training and growth. Youth teams receive professional training and follow well-thought-out training plans, allowing young handball players to improve their skills and prepare for adult tournaments.

In addition, top clubs support young athletes on their way to the top team, giving them the opportunity to compete and gain experience at the highest level. This support helps talents move to the next level with confidence and become part of the elite clubs, ready to compete for the EHF Champions League title in the future.

Top EHF Champions League teams and their achievements

Over the years, the tournament has been dominated by clubs such as Barcelona, Veszprém, Paris Saint-Germain and Cologne. Barcelona are multiple champions and have won the cup more than 10 times. Their success is based on a combination of powerful attack, tactical flexibility and experienced coaches like Javier Pascual, who has led the team to multiple victories.

Hungary’s Veszprem is also among the frontrunners. Their road to the top has been long, but thanks to the support of sponsor MOL Group and the great play of star players like Mate Lekai, they have managed to reach the final several times and establish themselves as one of the best handball teams in Europe.

We also cannot leave out Montpellier, which unexpectedly beat all favourites and became champions in 2018. This success proved that the EHF Champions League is full of surprises, where even the strongest teams can lose to lesser-known opponents.

EHF Champions League highlights: unexpected twists and legendary matches

The EHF Champions League has always been known for its legendary matches and the colourful players who have made their names in the tournament’s history. Some matches have become true classics thanks to the players’ incredible battles, tactics and skills. For example, the 2015 final between Barcelona and Veszprem is forever remembered by fans for its incredible intrigue and dramatic outcome.

How final matches attract media attention

The final matches of the EHF Champions League invariably attract large audiences thanks to quality TV broadcasts and active cooperation with the international media. Viewing figures for the matches have risen significantly in recent years, demonstrating the growing interest in the tournament. Many major TV channels, such as Eurosport and Sky Sports, broadcast these matches, helping to make handball more popular and attract new viewers.

The handball top

The EHF Champions League is a challenge for every team. Winning this competition is every handball club’s dream, because it means not only winning the cup, but also being recognised by the entire handball community. This tournament helps handball develop, attract new audiences and make the sport more popular in countries where it is not yet so well known.

Every EHF Champions League match is a spectacle that makes fans anxious, happy and sad along with the teams. Follow the tournament, support your favourite clubs and enjoy the finest moments that only European handball at the highest level can offer.

From a humble pastime to an Olympic sport, the journey of women’s handball has been full of triumphs and triumphs. Athletes who have defied social conventions have transformed sports grounds into arenas where strength, agility and strategy come together. Their story is a hymn to the human spirit and unlimited possibilities.

The first women’s handball matches: how it all began

The year 1917 can be considered the starting point: it was then that the first official matches took place in Germany. Women who ventured onto the pitch did so at their own risk. Moral norms of the time assumed that sport was the domain of men and that women should confine themselves to domestic duties and social entertainment.

Enthusiasts like Clara Zetkin believed in the importance of women’s participation in sport and popularised the games among the weaker sex. Matches were played in open courts and attracted the attention not only of fans but also of the press, which often criticised handball players for their “unfeminine” activities.

At this time, the players’ uniforms were not comfortable, but this did not stop the pioneers. A few years later – in 1926 – regular tournaments appeared in Europe. Enthusiasm grew, and by the mid-1930s handball became really popular among women in Scandinavia, where the climate and sports infrastructure favoured its popularity.

Development of women’s handball in Russia

The beginning dates back to the 1950s, when the first clubs began to form in the major cities of Moscow and Leningrad. Soviet women, known for their resilience and hard work, quickly took the initiative to develop handball. As this was a period of active promotion of physical culture, many sports societies willingly accepted girls’ teams and supported their participation in competitions.

The first real success came in 1962, when the USSR national team won bronze at the World Championship. Since then, Russian handball players, including such legends as Lyudmila Postnova and Tatiana Kireeva, have constantly proved their skills, bringing medals both in European and world arenas. The discipline has become a symbol of resilience and sporting courage, and Russian handball players have become an example for thousands of young female athletes across the country.

Position on the world stage

Women handball players demonstrated incredible strength of spirit and desire to win, so they reached the major competitions.

Olympic Games and women’s handball: the fight for gold

The discipline was first seen at the Olympics in 1976 in Montreal. Then it became part of the Olympic programme, and that moment was a real breakthrough. The first gold medal was taken by Soviet athletes in 1980 at the Moscow Games, where the USSR team, inspired by the support of the home stands, managed to beat all their rivals. This success cemented the importance of the sport at the world level.

Especially significant was the victory of the Russian national team in 2016 at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Under the leadership of Evgeny Trefilov, the team beat France 22:19 and won gold medals, becoming heroes of their time. This moment will remain in history not only as the triumph of one national team, but also as proof that this sport can be exciting, intense and dramatic.

Women’s Handball World Championships: a story of great victories

The championship was first held in 1957, and since then it has become one of the most important events in the world of sport. There are many bright pages in the history of the world championships, one of which is the victory of the USSR national team in 1982, when our sportswomen beat the Yugoslavia team with a convincing score of 30:18. No less significant event was the victory of the Norwegian national team in 1999, when the team took gold, demonstrating skill and unique technique of the game.

Women’s handball stars: legends inspiring the new generation

There are names in history that inspire more than one generation of players. One such legend is Zinaida Turchina, who is one of the most decorated handball players in the world, twice Olympic champion and multiple world champion. Her unique style of play and leadership qualities have inspired many young girls around the world to take up handball.

Anna Vyakhireva is a star who shone at the 2019 World Championships, where she was recognised as the best player of the tournament. Vyakhireva is known for her lightning-fast reactions and outstanding technique, her performances on the field are always eye-catching, while her tenacity and hard work make her an example for all aspiring handball players.

Tatiana Petrenko  – the leader of the national team in the 1990s, played a key role in the successful performances of the Russian team at the European and World Championships. She was characterised by her powerful shots and outstanding leadership qualities, which helped the team achieve high results and created a great atmosphere on the court.

Ekaterina Ilyina – a key figure at the 2016 Olympics, was one of the main contributors to the Russian team’s victory in Rio de Janeiro. Her ability to take the initiative in decisive moments, as well as her accuracy in throws from difficult situations, allowed the team to win gold and make history.

Rules of women’s handball and their evolution

The basic standards have remained largely unchanged since the discipline’s inception, but changes have been made over the years to improve the safety and spectacle of the game. Here are the basic rules of women’s handball:

1. Each team consists of seven players: six field players and one goalkeeper.
2. The match lasts two halves of 30 minutes with a 10 minute break.
3. Players may take up to three steps without heading the ball, after which they must either pass or start heading.
4. The goalkeeper is the only player allowed to touch the ball with his feet, but only within his own area.
5. Penalty throws are awarded for serious offences such as pushing or hitting an opponent.
6. Players are not allowed to be in the goalkeeper’s area except when jumping during an attack.

Unlike men’s handball, women’s matches are often accompanied by softer tactics and a greater emphasis on technique, making the game more elegant and dynamic.

In the early 1960s, a rule limiting the number of steps without driving the ball was introduced, which greatly increased the pace of play. In the 1980s, the process became faster with new shooting requirements and defensive tactics that made the match more entertaining. Each of these changes was designed to emphasise a player’s skill and speed.

Conclusion

Women’s handball has come a long way – from small local matches to grandiose world tournaments. Today, the sport inspires millions of girls around the world to become stronger, to fight for their dreams and not to be afraid to be first. To try your hand at this dynamic and exciting sport is to join the great winning tradition and stand shoulder to shoulder with the best female athletes in the world.