Handball: Poland end Euro campaign with 28-29 loss to Italy

Poland closed out their 2026 European Men’s Handball Championship campaign with a 28-29 loss to Italy on Tuesday, after already being eliminated from contention.

Poland's Michał Daszek in action against Italy in Kristianstad, Sweden, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.

Photo: EPA/Johan Nilsson

The Poles had earlier fallen 21-29 to Hungary in their second group-stage match, a defeat that ended their hopes of advancing.

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fot. Press Focus/Norbert Barczyk@TeamORLEN pic.twitter.com/3wnIMPz5Wb

— Handball Polska (@handballpolska) January 20, 2026

Coached by Spaniard Jota González, Poland finished the group without a win, having lost 23-31 to Iceland in their opening game at the tournament, which is co-hosted by Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

Na koniec naszego udziału w EHF EURO 2026 przegrywamy z reprezentacją Włoch 28:29.@TeamORLEN pic.twitter.com/zmXbXVaXSb

— Handball Polska (@handballpolska) January 20, 2026

Tuesday’s loss to Italy had implications for Poland's seeding on the road to qualifying for the 2027 world championship in Germany.

Dramatyczna końcówka mistrzostw Europy. Polscy piłkarze ręczni przegrali z Włochami.

Więcej👇https://t.co/5NBGWe1Svw

— Sport PolskieRadio24.pl (@sport_pr24pl) January 20, 2026

Poland will begin that campaign in March with a two-leg pre-qualification playoff against Latvia.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP