Having ridden the tempestuous wave that was 2020, the European Handball Federation moved into 2021, its 30th year, with a galvanised focus. As a governing body, not only were we aware of what was expected of us, but the EHF was also clear on what was demanded of the organisation. Our duty to our Member Federations, our clubs, our leagues, and our players, was to ensure that handball withstood the adverse conditions, the by-product of the ongoing global pandemic, that presented with many different faces.
In our sporting community, having kept our players on the court and delivering our events with minimal losses, we were all still so eager to ‘return to normal’ despite it becoming obvious that handball, and the sporting world, had moved into new terrain. So, with an unrivalled tenacity, the EHF and its stakeholders quickly acclimatised to a new way of working. Together, through the unified approach and a determination to achieve common goals, three Younger Age Category EUROs and seven European Championships – as well as two Beach Handball EUROs (YAC 17 and Senior) for men and women – were carried out between 8 July and 22 August 2021. Leading up to the start of the current season following the two main draw events in July, and drawing from the experiences of 2020, the Hygiene Concept for all competitions was updated and beginning with the EHF European League Men at the end of August, the 2021/2022 club handball season seamlessly commenced.
In the midst of an intense business year, the European Handball Federation also experienced many highlights at administrative level; in April, the people who now serve as guardians of our sport were elected at the 15th Ordinary Congress, and the 2026 and 2028 men’s and women’s EHF EUROs were awarded at the 15th Extraordinary EHF Congress in November. More on these events, as well as the 30th anniversary celebration reflections can be found on the following pages.
Cautious optimism and resolute perseverance allow me to confidently deliver the message that handball is here to stay! The European Handball Federation now looks forward to 2022; January will see the long-awaited Men’s EHF EURO 2022 in Hungary and Slovakia where spectators will be enthusiastically welcomed to the arenas, and the restart of the club season. Handball has much to offer in the new year, and we hope that you, the reader, will continue to join us on this adventure.
In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the array of people who actively engaged in our sport in 2021 and naturally, I extend my appreciation to the professionals within the offices of the EHF and EHF Marketing GmbH. Moreover, I wish to thank all the members of the Executive Committee and all other Commissions, the stakeholder groups, and the technicians who remain staunch defenders of handball and for upholding the integrity of our sport through many difficult times over the past year. Finally, I unequivocally thank the leadership and professionals of the EHF Member Federations, as well as those on working on a club level, for being the heart of handball.
Best wishes,
Michael Wiederer
President