Austria (AUT)

Austria qualified for the Men’s EHF EURO 2026 as runners-up in group 7 behind Germany and ahead of Switzerland, with the decisive moment being a razor-thin 34:33 victory in the final match against the Swiss. This match also marked the farewell of national coach Aleš Pajovič after six successful years, to focus on coaching SG Flensburg-Handewitt.

Pajovič’s successor at Austria’s helm is former Spanish international Iker Romero, who also coaches German club SG BBM Bietigheim. He will manage both roles until summer 2026, then focus fully on Austria. “This is an extremely tough group. But if you want to achieve great things, you must face the best. In this group anyone can beat anyone, and we will give everything in every match,” Romero said after the draw.

The EHF EURO 2026 will be Austria’s seventh appearance and their fifth in a row. Their debut came when they hosted the event in 2010. In 2022, however, they suffered three straight defeats in the preliminary round and finished in 20th position — their worst result at a European Championship. 

Two years ago, Austria were close to their first semi-final berth at a European championships. The eighth place in Germany equalled Austria’s best-ever result (achieved in 2020). This placement also sent Austria to an Olympic qualification tournament for the first time in their history.

They have also taken part in eight World Championships, with 13th their best finish. At the 2025 IHF Men’s World Championship, Austria reached the main round and finished 17th. The squad features numerous German Bundesliga players, including team captain Nikola Bilyk (THW Kiel), goalkeeper Constantin Möstl, playmaker Lukas Huteck (both TBV Lemgo), defensive specialist Lukas Herburger (Füchse Berlin) and line player Tobias Wagner (HC Erlangen).

Austria and Germany will duel again in Herning after facing eight times in the past four years. Germany won six of these eight encounters. In the Qualifiers in March 2025, Austria earned a 26:26 draw in Vienna but lost 31:26 two days later in Hanover.

Competition records:
Number of EHF EURO participations, including 2026: 7