Netherlands (NED)

The Netherlands are gearing up for their fourth consecutive Men's EHF EURO — a remarkable rise for a team that had never reached the final tournament before 2020. Once they finally broke through, they made it clear they were here to stay.

From 17th place at their debut, followed by 10th and then 12th, the Dutch are still chasing that extra push that would take them to their best-ever European finish. They hope the next step comes the same way it did at the World Championships.

In 2023, they returned to the global stage for the first time since 1961 and finished 14th. At the 2025 IHF World Championship, they climbed two spots higher and took 12th place: signs of steady progress and a team moving in the right direction.

Staffan Olsson's squad booked their ticket to the Men's EHF EURO 2026 as the second-placed team in qualification group 6. It was not a flawless campaign — three wins, two draws and a defeat showed they are still vulnerable in key moments — but they got the job done. Only the Faroe Islands finished above them, while Ukraine followed as the best-ranked third-placed team, and Kosovo closed the group.

What continues to set the Netherlands apart is the presence of Luc Steins, the fulcrum of their game. His tempo and creativity remain the engine of the Dutch attack. Around him, a core that has grown together over the last four years now looks to push past the ceiling they have hit twice and finally enter the fray for a top-10 finish.

Competition records:
Number of EHF EURO participations, including 2026: 4