Three-time reigning world champion, Denmark is, like Norway for women, the dominant nation in men’s handball in recent years. His icon, Mikkel Hansen, and the eternal goalkeeper Niklas Landin, five titles of best player in the world between them, are still there, escorted by the formidable new generation of Mathias Gidsel (24 years old) and Simon Pytlick (23 years old). Confident of their strength, already qualified for the Paris Olympics (July 26-August 11), the Scandinavians also want to eat everything. Especially this Euro (January 10 to 28) which has resisted them since 2012.
A year after reaching the World Cup final despite an avalanche of injuries, the Blues arrive this time almost complete. The eternal Nikola Karabatic (39 years old), who will retire at the end of the season, is a luxury big brother for the fantastic Nedim Remili (28 years old) and Dika Mem (26 years old) and a whole host of exceptional talents. Only the goalkeeper position represents a big question mark, in the absence of pillar Vincent Gérard (pubalgia), but the defense of the Olympic champions still offers solid guarantees. In a Euro that France has not won for ten years, the young generation dreams of establishing a new dynasty, without waiting for the Paris Olympics.
★★★★☆
Sweden
It is she, the holder of the trophy, won hard two years ago in Budapest after two decades of frustration. The men in the legendary yellow jersey do not have the same incredible reservoir of individuality as France or Denmark, but a solid playing culture, a great conductor (Jim Gottfridsson), a terrible goalkeeper (the Parisian Andreas Palicka ) and an exceptional shooter (Eric Johansson). A year after the heartbreaking 4th place in the World Cup at home, without Gottfridsson injured during the tournament, the Nordics want their revenge. And also their ticket for the Games, which they have not yet validated.
Aged, worn, tired, but still there, the “Hispanos” have continued to postpone the decline that was promised to them. After the bronze medal at the 2023 World Cup, they return to their favorite competition, where they remain in four finals in a row including two titles in 2018 and 2020. With goalkeeper Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas and right back Alex Dujshebaev, they have two of the best players on the planet. And a beautiful new generation is emerging around Agustin Casado and Ian Tarrafeta from Aix.
★★☆☆☆
Germany
At home, with the support of 15,000, 19,000 or even 53,000 spectators during the opening match against Switzerland on Wednesday in Düsseldorf, Germany dreams of regaining its past greatness. She did not escape the usual disaffection of certain stars (Hendrik Pekeler in particular) and injuries (Patrick Groetzki, Fabian Wiede). But the electric goalkeeper Andreas Wolff, hero of the improbable European title of 2016, returned in time from his herniated disc, and the Nationalmannschaft also has Juri Knorr (23 years old), the big center half capable of guiding them towards the top.
★☆☆☆☆
Norway
It has already been four years since the Norwegians last stood on a podium, after the three medals won from 2017 to 2020. Much too long for a great predator like Sander Sagosen. The star centre-half, one of the most formidable attackers on the planet, returned home to Kolstad this summer, accompanied by three quarters of his national team, and the whole is shining in the Champions League. Notably goalkeeper Torbjorn Bergerud, back at the top after several difficult seasons. With this newfound advantage, Norway is a real threat. More than an aging Croatia or the irregular Iceland, Hungary and Serbia.