Germany Secures Silver at 2026 Handball European Championship, Eyes 2027 World Title at Home

Germany's national handball team reached the final of the 2026 European Championship but was defeated by Denmark 27:34, marking their eighth consecutive final loss to the Danes. Despite the setback, the German squad demonstrated significant progress, signalling a new era of competitiveness on the international stage.

The final saw Denmark, led by standout player Mathias Gidsel—named tournament MVP—secure an unprecedented triple crown of Olympic, World, and European titles. Gidsel acknowledged Germany as Denmark's "biggest opponent" moving forward, reflecting a shift in the power dynamic.

Germany, coached by Alfred Gislason, has seen a rapid rise in global rankings to second place from sixth or seventh four years ago. Gislason expressed pride in the team’s development, noting their consistent performance with semifinals appearances in three of the last four major tournaments and earning silver at this edition.

Key figures like goalkeeper Andreas Wolff and team captain Johannes Golla conveyed both optimism and caution. Wolff, though 34, expressed strong confidence in Germany's ability to challenge Denmark again, especially with the upcoming 2027 World Championship set to be hosted on home soil from January 13 to 31. Golla emphasized the need to maintain momentum and avoid complacency as the team continues to mature, with a young core of 11 players aged 25 or younger, including promising talents like Juri Knorr and Renars Uscins.

The German Handball Federation's sports director, Ingo Meckes, highlighted the significance of the silver medal as a morale boost ahead of the World Championship. The team intends to leverage the valuable experience gained from this European Championship to strive for gold in 2027.

Despite struggling defensively in the second half of the final against Denmark’s dynamic offense, the progress Germany has shown is evident. The team is poised to challenge the established dominance of Denmark in future contests, bolstered by depth, youth, and growing confidence. As they prepare to welcome the world in 2027, expectations are high for Germany to capitalize on their upward trajectory and potentially rewrite the narrative of their rivalry with Denmark.