Tough challenges for Europe's youngest talents

In about four months' time, on 14 August 2014, the Men's 18 EHF EURO will throw off in the Polish cities of Gdansk and Gdynia.

However, the 16 participating teams, learned their fate, in this case their respective opponents they face in the preliminary round, already on Wednesday evening as the final tournament took place in Warsaw.

Germany, who won the Men's 18 EHF EURO in 2012, was drawn to Group D in which they will face Belarus, Poland and Czech Republic.

2012 silver medallists, Sweden, were drawn to Group A alongside Serbia, Switzerland and Iceland.

Hosts, Poland, who had the right to choose their group after three quarters of the teams participating were drawn, selected Group D.

The draw was part of the first day programme of the 8th EHF Conference for Secretaries General which started on Wednesday and will conclude on Thursday.

It was conducted by Andrzej Krasnicki, President of the Polish Handball Federation, and EHF Secretary General, Michael Wiederer.

Prior to the draw Krasnicki, Wiederer and Marek Goralczyk, Secretary General of the Polish Handball Federation, signed the official organisation contract for the Men's 18 EHF EURO.

In his opening speech Krasnicki stressed the importance of the Men's 18 EHF EURO for both the players and the Polish Handball Federation as a prelude to the Men's EHF EURO 2016 which will also take place in Poland in January 2016.

The overview of all four preliminary round groups for the Men's 18 EHF EURO is as follows