HC Ohrid defend the European trophy: eight new names for new feats

The winner of the trophy in the EHF European Cup does not rest on its laurels. HC Ohrid has begun preparations for the new season, and coach Boris Rojević called up as many as eight new handball players at the first roll-call. Among them are three Macedonians - Filip Taleski, Martin Karapalevski and Martin Ivanovski - and five foreigners, including Shuichi Yoshida, Dominik Mate and Dino Slavić. The ambitions remain unchanged: the domestic championship, the Cup, and the defence of the European trophy. The Ohrid side has understood something many clubs here do not - that a trophy is defended, not celebrated forever. The question is whether the new names will blend into the team quickly enough for three fronts.

Alkaloid under Lazarov attack on four fronts

In the „Avtokomanda” hall the new season starts for HC Alkaloid, led by the club's legend - Kiril Lazarov. And the ambitions are exactly what you would expect from his name: playing on four fronts. Besides the domestic championship and the Cup, Alkaloid will play in the newly formed Regional League with teams from Serbia and Montenegro, as well as in the European Cup, where they were the winner in the 2024/2025 season. The preparations are in three parts, and from 3 August the team travels to Mavrovo. New signings have also arrived - the Slovenian players Matic Suholežnik and Nejc Cehte, as well as the Montenegrin ace Vuko Borozan. Four competitions demand a deep squad and iron nerves - Lazarov had both as a player, now he has to transfer them as a coach.

The M18 Euro comes to Serbia: the Balkans host again

The region is again becoming the centre of youth handball. The M18 EHF EURO 2026 is being played in Serbia, from 29 July to 9 August, and the matches will be broadcast to audiences across Europe and the US. After the recent youth tournaments in Pristina - where the Netherlands and Finland celebrated their titles in the EHF Championship - the Balkans are for the third summer in a row the address of European youth handball. For the teams from the region, home ground and a familiar crowd are an advantage they rarely have. Will some Balkan selection make use of it, or will the advantage again remain only on paper?

Hungary finally on top: a golden marathon against Sweden in double overtime

If you needed proof that youth handball knows how to be drama, the final of the M20 EHF EURO gave it. Hungary won the first title in this category, ending a wait 32 years long, and that against the previously unbeaten Sweden. The score swung to the last second - the Swedes led 28:26 three minutes before the end, but Mate Fazekas equalised thirty seconds before the siren. In the first overtime it was level again - 30:30 - before finally in the second, with key saves from goalkeeper Adam Balog, Hungary triumphed 34:32. Peter Gazo alone scored as many as 14 goals. A thirty-two-year wait, settled in a match that refused to end - such finals are the reason handball has its faithful.

Pelister and the internationals do not rest: preparations run across Macedonia

And while Ohrid and Alkaloid fill the headlines, the other Macedonian clubs do not sit idle. Eurofarm Pelister 2 has begun preparations under the new coach Branislav Angelovski, who relies on a mix of youth and experience - but clearly warns that results must not be lacking. The Macedonian international Ivana Gakidova, meanwhile, has found a new club in Poland and in the new season will wear the shirt of Kalisz. From the men's to the women's competition, summer is the season of roll-calls, preparations and transfers. A quiet period on paper - but it is right now that it is decided how the whole year will look.