Germany (GER)

Germany hosted an EHF EURO for the first time in their history in 2024, and made it to the semi-finals for the first time since winning the trophy in 2016. 

Seven months later, the rejuvenated German side made it to the final of the Olympic Games for the first time since 1984 and won silver, after a clear defeat by Denmark. 

In Herning, Germany will play their 16th EHF EURO, having missed only the 2014 edition in Denmark. They were the first country with the complete set of medals after winning bronze in 1998, silver in 2002 and gold in 2004, beating hosts Slovenia in the final. 

In the EHF EURO 2026 Qualifiers, Germany extended their series of unbeaten qualifying matches to 27, but tied twice with their neighbours Switzerland and Austria. They still finished top of their group. At the 2025 World Championship, Germany were defeated by Portugal in the quarter-final after overtime. 

In the past two or three years, there has been a huge transition in the squad, with many young talents arriving, including seven 2023 U21 world champions in the line-up currently. After players such as Juri Knorr and Julian Köster already shone in the past two EHF EURO final tournaments, and Renars Uscins was named the world’s best young player in 2025, now Tim Freihöfer, Justus Fischer and Lasse Langhoff have made their way into the squad. 

A top result at the EHF EURO 2026 is crucial for Alfred Gislason’s team, as next year they host the world championship and aim for gold on home ground. But already the preliminary round includes some potential stumbling blocks such as Spain, followed by “the toughest main round ever in history”, as Gislason calls potential opponents such as Denmark, France, Portugal or Norway. 

Germany count on a strong goalkeeper duo — Andreas Wolff and David Späth — and a rock-solid defence, organised by team captain Johannes Golla. In attack, the variety of backcourt players – Köster, Knorr, Uscins, Nils Lichtlein, Miro Schluroff and more is huge. 

Competition records:
Number of EHF EURO participations, including 2026: 16
Gold: 2004, 2016
Silver: 2002
Bronze: 1998