Ten European teams in action when beach handball makes Youth Olympic Games debut

Beach handball’s debut at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Buenos Aires from 6 to 18 October is a major step in the Olympic aspirations of the sport, and among the 24 participants there are ten teams from Europe which will be taking the courts.

Beach handball at the YOG is played with 12 teams each in the men’s and women’s event.

In the women’s competition, current U17 world and U18 European champions, Hungary, are one of the main gold medal favourites. They are joined by Netherlands, silver medallists at the U18 Beach EURO earlier this year in Ulcinj (MNE), Croatia, Russia and Turkey. The field is completed by Argentina, Chinese Taipei, Venezuela, Paraguay, American Samoa, Mauritius and Hong Kong.

Men’s U17 world champions and U18 Beach EURO bronze medallists, Spain, will look to add another medal to their collection in the men’s competition.

Italy, Portugal, Hungary and Croatia are the remaining four teams from Europe; Argentina, Venezuela, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Paraguay, Mauritius and Uruguay complete the field.

The draw for the preliminary round groups, which will consist of six teams each, will be made in Buenos Aires on Saturday, 8 September at 11:00 hrs (local time).

This is the first time that beach handball is played at Olympic level. Indoor handball had been part of the programme at the 2010 and 2014 YOG in Singapore and Nanjing.

The beach handball competition is played from 8 to 13 October. For more information on the 2018 YOG in Buenos Aires visit the official website.