The EHF EURO is set to become even more European
The EHF EURO is set to become even more European
16 has been the standard number of participating teams at Men's EHF EURO events since 2002, and so it will be at least for another four years which includes the EHF EURO 2016 in Poland and the EHF EURO 2018 for which Croatia is bidding.
However, to shape the federation's flagship event in the future, the EHF Congress on 19/20 September will vote on a motion submitted by the EHF that proposes to have the Men's EHF EURO played with 24 teams as of 2022 and potentially already as of 2020.
"The idea of the EHF EURO of/for the entire European handball family is gaining more and more shape. An EHF EURO shall be a festival for all European handball nations," the motion reads.
"A crucial milestone in a new decade shall be taken by proposing the following innovations for Men’s EHF Euros as of 2022 respectively 2020: 24 participating teams, a new playing format, new organisation system, advanced awarding procedure."
The year 2020 is mentioned because Sweden, Austria and Norway, the three nations bidding for the event in 2020, have agreed - in case their bid receives the majority of congress votes - to already stage the tournament with 24 teams.
"Providing eight more nations with the chance to gain funds respectively subsidies from governmental, national, regional and municipal authorities for their participation in a major event," is another reason in favour of the expansion mentioned in the motion.
This is followed by: "Presenting additional matches to the market opens additional income possibilities from TV and advertising rights as well as other features; it also means that access to new markets can be gained and additional potential for markets can be used."
If the new format is approved, there will be 65 instead of 47 matches played over 15 days. The tournament will start with six groups of four teams each, with the two top-ranked teams from each group qualifying for the two main round groups which will still consist of six teams each (download a playing schedule draft).
Semi-finals and finals will follow the main round as it was the case in the old system and will be played in one venue over a final weekend (Friday to Sunday).
