Norway (NOR)

Exactly 10 years ago, at the EHF EURO 2016, Norway stormed the handball world, reaching the semi-finals of the competition, but they were eliminated by future champions Germany after overtime. While they reached the finals at the 2017 and 2019 IHF World Championship and won bronze at the EHF EURO 2020, things have not been as good lately. In 2024, the adventure stopped in the main round for Sander Sagosen and his teammates — they finished second to last in their group, taking only two wins, against the Netherlands and Sweden.

Some of the core players of this golden generation will still feature at the EHF EURO 2026. Sander Sagosen looks like the obvious leader, with goalkeeper Torbjørn Bergerud, left wing Sebastian Barthold and right back Harald Reinkind appearing as stalwarts.

But now is the time for coach Jonas Wille to succeed at blending all these experienced players with the young Norwegian generation. Talented players such as Tobias Grøndahl, Simen Lyse and Andrè Bergsholm Kristensen have been giving impressive performances in the EHF Champions League lately, deservedly making it to the national team.

But it would seem like the team’s chemistry remains to be found. Norway finished last at the EHF EURO Cup 2026, with six defeats, against France, Sweden and Denmark. While some good team performances could be witnessed over short periods of time in these games, there is still a lot to work on. 

In front of 9,000 fans at the Unity Arena in Oslo/Bærum, Norway will have the opportunity to progress to the main round. But aiming for the final weekend will be a whole new matter, as some key players will miss the tournament due to injuries. However, these absences might give young players the opportunity to shine as bright as they do in club competitions every week.

Competition records:
Number of EHF EURO participations, including 2026: 12
Bronze: 2020