2026 in Scandinavia

European Championship qualifying draw: Who awaits the ÖHB team?

Who will stand in the way of the ÖHB team on their way to the European Championship?(Bild: GEPA pictures)

After a successful European Handball Championship in January and narrowly missing out on qualifying for the Olympic Games, Austria's handball players will find out their opponents on the road to the 2026 European Championship in Denmark, Sweden and Norway in the draw on Thursday (16:30). 

The ÖHB team will be drawn from the second pot, guaranteeing further matches against top opponents. In addition to the three hosts, defending champions France have also qualified, meaning 32 teams will battle it out for the 20 remaining places. The group winners and runners-up of each group of four qualify, as do the four best third-placed teams.

Austria will be drawn from pot two and will therefore face a top nation from pot one. In addition to European Championship fifth-placed Hungary, a reunion with Olympic qualifying opponents Germany or Croatia is also possible. The European Championship qualifiers begin in November.