2025 marks the first time North Macedonia will host the prestigious multi-sport event for young European athletes aged 14 to 18. The festival will feature more than 4,000 participants from 50 European delegations, competing in 15 sports disciplines. While Skopje will serve as the main host city, some events will also be held in the nearby city of Kumanovo.
Handball is a regular fixture in the EYOF programme, and this year the boys' competition will take place in Sport Center Kale, and the girls will play at the Sport Center Jane Sandanski, both located in the Macedonian capital.
In both competitions, the teams have been split into two preliminary round groups of four. The top two in each group will advance to the semi-finals, while those finishing third and fourth will play cross and placement matches to decide all eight places, before the bronze and gold medal matches take place next Saturday.
The competing teams and preliminary round groups are as follows:
2025 EYOF Men's competition
GROUP A
Germany
Hungary
France
Netherlands
GROUP B
Switzerland
North Macedonia
Norway
Iceland
2025 EYOF Women's competition
GROUP A
Spain
North Macedonia
Iceland
Croatia
GROUP B
Germany
Portugal
Hungary
Norway
How to follow the 2025 EYOF
Fans will also be able to watch the Men's and Women's EYOF on EHFTV for free. No geo-restrictions apply, and fans will not have to purchase a tournament pass, only registration (free of charge) is required.
The tournament website has all the information on the competition, while the tournament can be followed on various social media channels at the following handles:
Facebook - Skopje2025
YouTube - @TheEOCCOE
Instagram - skopje_2025
Tik-Tok - @skopje2025
Photo © European Youth Olympic Festival
