Makeover for Europe’s top national team events

Eighteen years after the EHF broke new ground with the introduction of the ‘yellow and blue’ flooring system of the EHF European Championships, it is time for a new look.

Changes to the federation’s corporate colours in 2012, with the introduction of a new EHF logo, as well as the ever  increasing demands of television mean that the highly distinctive flooring system, first seen at the third edition of the EHF European Championships in Italy back in 1998, is to be replaced with a revised colour scheme.

The EHF’s long-term flooring partner, Gerflor, has been working together with the EHF and its partners to develop a new colour combination that will still provide a distinctive look for the federation’s flagship national team events and at the same time meet the demands of both television and photo journalists.

One colour for handball in Europe

Handball fans will instantly notice the ‘lagoon blue’ colour of the playing area, which has been an integral part of the EHF Champions League brand, since 2006 when the floor was introduced across the men’s competition.

The new EHF EURO floor will differ however in that that the court surrounding area will be dark blue – the same blue as used in the EHF logo – and a key feature of the previous floor will be retained with the coaching zone to be in red.

Europe’s top men’s national teams will be the first to play with the new colours as they compete for the European title in January 2016 at the Men’s EHF EURO in Poland.

Commenting on the change, Michael Wiederer, EHF Secretary General, said: “With the changes in the EHF’s corporate identity back in 2012, a change to the EURO floor was needed.

“At the same time we wanted to create a consistent look for handball in Europe - with the use of the distinctive ‘lagoon blue’ already used in the Champions League - that handball fans will recognise as being a common feature of the EHF’s top competitions.”

The EHF has been working with Gerflor since 2004 to equip the European Championship events for men, women and Younger Age Category events with a high quality EHF branded sport flooring which satisfies the needs of both the athletes and the requirements of a modern top sport event.

Gerflor’s Pierre Lienhard, Director International Operations, said: “The new colour solution will add a new touch to the EURO's look and will bring together the best colours ever associated, the lagoon light blue , well known for the EHF Champions events and the dark blue of the EHF.

“This new combination will undoubtedly appeal to every handball fan as they watch the EUROS and fans should immediately recognise these two EHF colours.”

Top class playing conditions

The floor supplied by Gerflor is the Taraflex Sport M Evolution. A 7 mm surface featuring a bi-density 5 mm foam backing and a 2 mm thick top layer gives ideal playing conditions for players for a portable surface.

The surface is the most used one for top handball events worldwide on a removable stage and provides great cushioning , perfect elasticity and a controlled grip under foot.  

The Protecsol top layer varnished treatment contribute to a perfect grip/slide compromise for players while reducing risks of skin burns while falling down.

New floor also for Younger Age Category events

The new colour scheme will feature across all of the EHF’s national team competitions in the future.

In the summer of 2016, the lagoon blue, EHF blue and red floor will also appear in venues across Europe as the continent’s young players compete in Younger Age Category events and Men’s 18 and Men’s 20 level.