Hungary (HUN)

EHF EURO 2022 did not end up the way co-hosts Hungary hoped. The team led by Istvan Gulyas received massive support from the Hungarian fans but could not make it past the main round, partly due injuries.

Two years later, some things have changed. Chema Rodriguez, once assistant coach, has taken over the head coach position. And various players have gained additional experience at top level, playing for some of the best clubs in Europe. Dominik Mathe has been wearing the Paris Saint-Germain HB colours for two seasons, Miklos Rosta plays under Xavi Pascual at Dinamo Bucuresti, and Gergö Fazekas has developed into a key asset for Orlen Wisla Plock.

Will it be enough for Hungary to finally deliver? Usually among the pre-tournament favourites on paper, Hungary have not made it to the semi-finals of a major event again since the London 2012 Olympic Games. And this handball-crazy country is eager for success.

Their preliminary round group at EHF EURO 2024 looks well balanced – with Iceland, Montenegro, and Serbia all being able to win points against each other.

In the qualifiers, Hungary suffered one defeat – at home against Georgia, but in that game many of the stalwarts were rested to give the young guns some playing time. Otherwise, they easily got past Switzerland and Lithuania, earning themselves the first place of the group.

With the bright individual talents showing up in their squad list, there are no reasons why Hungary should not be able to go far at EHF EURO 2024.