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On January 16, the Hungarian national team begins its campaign at the Men’s Handball European Championship. In this article, we examine what results can be expected from the national team.
The 2026 Men’s Handball European Championship kicks off on January 15, co-hosted by three Scandinavian countries: Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
We covered the Men’s Handball Euro 2026 odds, schedule, and group draws in more detail in this post. This time, however, we take a closer look at the expected performance of the Hungarian national team.
Men’s Handball Euro 2026 Hungary Squad
National team head coach Chema Rodríguez had to face devastating news just before departure. It turned out that Bence Bánhidi, who had been struggling with an injury, was ultimately unable to travel with the team. This means the squad will have to perform well without the world-class pivot. While Miklós Rosta is a quality replacement for Bánhidi, it’s no coincidence that the head coach stated the goals set for the Euro would need to be reconsidered without Bánhidi.
Apart from Bánhidi’s absence, there are no major surprises in the Hungarian squad. Dominik Máthé’s health condition does not yet allow for sustained match intensity, so the left back opted out of the squad at his own request, even though he has been playing for Elverum since the summer.
In goal, László Bartucz will be our number one goalkeeper. On the right wing, Bence Imre’s role is unquestionable, and Zorán Ilics will be the first choice at right back. In the playmaker position, we are particularly well off – Gergő Fazekas can be relieved by Egon Hanusz and Péter Lukács.
On the left wing, Bendegúz Bóka has enjoyed the coaching staff’s trust for years, while at left back, Richárd Bodó and Zoltán Szita will share duties. At the pivot position, with Bánhidi’s withdrawal, Miklós Rosta can step up, with Tamás Papp providing attacking relief.
GOALKEEPERS: László Bartucz (MT Melsungen – Germany), Kristóf Palasics (MT Melsungen – Germany), Arián Andó (Mol Tatabánya KC)
RIGHT WINGS: Bence Imre (THW Kiel – Germany), Pedro Rodríguez (Mol Tatabánya KC), Benjámin Szilágyi (OTP Bank-PICK Szeged)
RIGHT BACKS: Zoran Ilic (Orlen Wisla Plock – Poland), Máté Ónodi-Jánoskúti (USAM Nimes Gard – France)
PLAYMAKERS: Gergő Fazekas (Orlen Wisla Plock – Poland), Egon Hanusz (Cesson Rennes – France), Péter Lukács (Elverum Handball – Norway), Andrej Pergel (BM Logrono La Rioja – Spain)
PIVOTS: Miklós Rosta (Dinamo Bucuresti – Romania), Adrián Sipos (MT Melsungen – Germany), Tamás Papp (Mol Tatabánya KC)
LEFT BACKS: Richárd Bodó (OTP Bank-PICK Szeged), Patrik Ligetvári (One Veszprém HC), Zoltán Szita (Orlen Wisla Plock – Poland)
LEFT WINGS: Bendegúz Bóka (Balatonfüredi KSE), Bence Krakovszki (MOL Tatabánya KC)
HEAD COACH: Chema RODRÍGUEZ
Men’s Handball Euro 2026 Hungary’s Group
The Hungarian handball team has been placed in Group F at this European Championship, where they will face Poland, Italy, and Iceland. According to the format, the top two teams from the four-team group advance to the main round, and on paper, the Hungarian team has a good chance of qualifying.
According to bookmakers, behind the traditionally strong Iceland, the Hungarian team has the best chance of advancing. The Italian team is not among the continent’s elite, so they should not pose a major threat. The Poles, however, have been going through a generational transition for some time, so sooner or later they will have a formidable team again.
This is why both the players and the head coach have stated that the opening match will be crucial, as a loss to Poland could practically mean elimination from the tournament.
Men’s Handball Euro 2026 – Hungary’s Matches
The Hungarian national team’s Group F matches are as follows:
- January 16, 2026, 20:30: Hungary–Poland (M4 Sport)
- January 18, 2026, 20:30: Italy–Hungary (M4 Sport)
- January 20, 2026, 20:30: Hungary–Iceland (M4 Sport)
Men’s Handball Euro 2026 – Hungary’s Chances
Based on bookmaker odds, the Hungarian team, alongside Iceland, is expected to advance from Group F and compete in the main round. Iceland winning the group pays odds of 1.35, while Hungary’s group victory pays 3.50. The odds for the other two teams are already in double digits, meaning Hungary is likely to finish first or second in Group F based on the balance of power.
In the main round, the expected opponents are Croatia, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Slovenia.
Men’s Handball Euro 2026 – Where Will Hungary Play?
During the group stage, the Hungarian team will play its matches in Kristianstad, Sweden. The Kristianstad Arena has a capacity of 5,000, so a sold-out venue could create a fantastic atmosphere. We see the best chance of this happening at the match against Iceland.
- Group: Group F
- City: Kristianstad (Sweden)
- Arena: Kristianstad Arena
- Opponents: Iceland, Poland, and Italy
If the Hungarian team advances from its group, the main round matches will be played in Malmö. For further details, visit the Hungarian Handball Federation’s (MKSZ) official website