Germany (GER)

Germany are one of only four teams — alongside current and former champions Norway, Denmark and Hungary — to have been part of all 16 Women’s EHF EURO final tournaments including 2024.

But since winning silver at the premiere on home ground in 1994, Germany have not won a medal and since 2008 they have failed to reach the semi-finals. In 2022, when Markus Gaugisch had his first tournament as new head coach, his side finished in seventh position. In 2023 they were sixth at the world championship, before making it to the quarter-finals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in their first Olympic appearance since 2008.

Co-hosting the 2025 IHF Women’s World Championship with the Netherlands, Germany are eager to make the next step to promote this top event. Gaugisch can count on a well-rehearsed team, including many players with EHF Champions League experience: Emily Bölk (2023 with FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria) and Ludwigsburg stars Xenia Smits, Jenny Behrend and Antje Döll (2024) have even played in the EHF FINAL4. Goalkeeper Katharina Filter and Annika Lott now play at Brest while Alina Grijseels moved to CSM Bucuresti after one year at Metz. Julia Maidhof plays for another Romanian side, Valcea.

One of the rising stars of international handball is right back Viola Leuchter, who was awarded best young player at last year’s world championship and now also plays for national champions Ludwigsburg.

As in almost all competitions in recent years, Germany face their neighbours from the Netherlands in the group phase in Innsbruck. They also know Ukraine well, having faced them in qualification, but they have not played Iceland since qualification for the EHF EURO 2016.

“We are facing two well-known teams, Netherlands and Ukraine. Iceland is a completely new and interesting opponent. With a view to potential opponents in the main round, it is important that we work out a very good starting position,” says Gaugisch.

Germany finished qualification for the EHF EURO 2024 with a clean record of six clear victories against Ukraine, Slovakia and Israel and an impressive goal difference of +125.