Ukraine (UKR)

After their absence in 2024, Ukraine are back at the EHF EURO in 2026. The competition has not always been a success for Ukraine, as their best performance remains an 11th place, earned back in 2002. Over the last two editions they played, in 2020 and 2022, Ukraine did not manage to get past the preliminary round, with three losses each time.

Could this time be any different? The qualifiers have been a tough experience for Ukraine, as they were forced to play their home games either in Slovakia or Lithuania. Coach Vadym Brazhnyk, who was appointed in 2024, led his team to two wins, at home against Kosovo and the Faroe Islands. These four points granted a third place in group 6 and, being among the best third-ranked teams, Ukraine made their comeback to the European Championship.

On the court, the team is led by left back Ihor Turchenko, who currently plays for French side Limoges. Other players also bring experience to the roster, such as left wing Dmytro Artemenko (Zabrze) and goalkeeper Gennadiy Komok (Buzau). In fact, Komok was one of the players who performed against France at the EHF EURO 2022, when Ukraine lost 36:23. 

This experience will surely be beneficial to their team, especially if they want to take at least a win. This will not be an easy task, though, as Norway and France still seem to be on a superior level at the moment. But beating Czechia in the last preliminary round game seems like something Ukraine might be able to do.

Competition records:
Number of EHF EURO participations, including 2026: 8