(Un)informed Handball Hour

Episode 331 - South America and Europe share the spoils at the Beach Handball World Championship, recap with Ebiye Udo-Udoma 01.07.2026 36min

In a thrilling conclusion to a brilliant week of beach handball, Argentina are women's world champions, while Germany sit atop the men's game. Ebiye Udo-Udoma is back with us to help us break down the conclusion of the championships, what lessons will be learned and gives us some breaking news about his return to the court with Lewis Howes' Los Angeles Team Handball. For the video breakdown early in our interview, watch it in full on patreon.com/handballhour for free.

Episode 330 - Filip's farewell, Björn Pazen on the end of Jicha's reign at Kiel, reaction to the new Champions League 27.06.2026 52min

Filip Jicha's time with THW Kiel came to an end this week. We reflect on this era which began with trophies galore and ended with their worst season in decades. Inevitable? Unfortunate? We discuss with Björn Pazen. Friday saw the draw for next season's EHF Champions League, which has a new format on the men's side. 24 teams and immediate jeopardy, what more do you want?

Episode 329 - Barca are kings of Europe again, a slice of history, Nielsen's showdown with Gidsel 15.06.2026 35min

We're well used to Barcelona winning this title over the years but this one felt a little different. With the German sides favoured by most and Aalborg the hipster tip for the trophy, the Catalan club reminded us all what it takes to get through this weekend, surviving Saturday's semi-final slog before a masterclass in the final against Berlin. Emil Nielsen's early showdowns with Gidsel and Andersson set the tone and Barca never looked back. We break down the action and the players who made it happen, discuss the history made by the champions and wonder if Berlin's golden chance has passed them by.

Episode 328 - Men's FINAL4 preview, Knorr on his debut appearance and memories 12.06.2026 49min

The four contenders have arrived in Cologne, ready to clash in one of the most tightly contested FINAL4s in years. All four sides have a real say in the destination of the Champions League trophy this weekend and that's what makes these weekends truly special. We discuss the two semi-finals and figure out where the difference will be made, before making our predictions. We hear from Aalborg's German star Juri Knorr on his FINAL4 memories as a fan before he experiences it as a player for the first time. And we conclude with a dramatic reading, sharing the words of the man looking to atone for a slip last year.

Episode 327 - Metz on top with brilliant Bouktit, wacky wildcards, FINAL4 bonanza continues 10.06.2026 44min

Metz claimed their first Women's Champions League title with a pair of brilliant performances led by an unstoppable Sarah Bouktit. We look back at their weekend in Budapest, try to make sense of the World Championship wildcards and unpack the conclusion of the Bundesliga season. Our buildup to Cologne continues this week with our mystery interview on patreon.com/handballhour first, followed by a full preview of the Men's FINAL4.

Episode 326 - Women's EHF FINAL4 preview with Anne Mette Hansen and Aleksa Pavicevic 04.06.2026 43min

All eyes on Budapest this weekend as the Women's EHF FINAL4 rolls into town. Reigning champions Györ are favourites but must overcome a Brest team at the end of an era and with recent history at this stage on their side, while Metz will look to overcome their semi-final hoodoo against CSM Bucuresti, buoyed by returning to the sport's pinnacle event. Aleksa Pavicevic joins us to preview the party. Anne Mette Hansen is heading to her eighth consecutive Women's EHF FINAL4 this weekend, a remarkable record for one of the most reliable players in the sport. Since reaching Budapest for the first time in 2018 and winning the title with Györ, she hasn't missed women's handball's biggest party. Just days before returning, Hansen speaks to us from Bucharest about a rollercoaster first season with CSM, helping them to break a quarter-final curse, her standout memories from her FINAL4 history with Györ and Metz and what it takes to come through the weekend with the title in hand.

Episode 325 - Business time for the European Leagues and the European League 29.05.2026 1t 4min

Crunchtime across Europe as major league titles are being won in France and Germany, while deciders await in Denmark, Hungary and Poland. We discuss PSG denying Nantes and big news at the top and bottom of Denmark's top flight, while Tim Dettmar joins us to look at the Bundesliga run in and the German-heavy EHF Finals in Hamburg this weekend.

The Morning Club - 15 May: World Championship qualifiers update, John Ryan in Iowa for the North American tournament 15.05.2026 24min

It's national team week for the men with places at next January's World Championship in Germany on the line. Plenty of intrigue among the 10 European play-offs, while it comes down to USA vs Greenland in Iowa on Saturday. Team Handball News' John Ryan joins us to chat about the tournament, how Team USA is shaping up and the new residency project players in action at this weekend's club championship in the same location. For access to all our Morning Club episodes, join us on patreon.com/handballhour

Episode 324 - First leg reflections in the CL Quarter-finals with Björn Pazen, Talant Dujshebaev leaves Kielce after 12 years 01.05.2026 45min

With Björn Pazen in the forest, Chris at the beach and Alex at home, we dive into the week's Champions League first leg encounters, which gave us a surprising lack of surprise results. We also look at the sudden departure of Talant Dujshebaev from Kielce, bringing an end to a 12-year era, consider his most memorable times and what's next.

Episode 323 - Szeged rip up Gottfridsson's contract, Zoltan Szendrei and Ola Selby react 17.04.2026 38min

Less than a season into a 3-year contract, Jim Gottfridsson's time at Szeged has come to an abrupt end and it has been anything but amicable. Gottfridsson has called it unilateral, unjustified and unlawful, Szeged have said they acted legally and little else. We speak to Nemzeti Sport's Zoltán Szendrei and Handbollskanalen's Ola Selby to get their reactions and the mood in both the Hungarian and Swedish sphere around this sudden shock move on the back of what felt like a turning point for the club's season.

Episode 322 - Champions League reviews with Danijela Vekic, halftime in the men's playoffs, women's elite eight is set 03.04.2026 43min

Danijela Vekic joins us to discuss the latest action in Europe's top flight competitions. We're halfway through the men's playoffs, where we've already seen Sporting and GOG let big advantages slip from their grasp as all but one of the contests are delicately poised. The women's Champions League has been whittled down to eight contenders with a new face among the mix. In the round's headline clash, we wonder which curse is likelier to end - CSM Bucuresti's or Esbjerg's?

Episode 321 - Is Simon Pytlick the Britney Spears of handball? Talant takes the reins in France, Veszprém players threatened by the doctor 23.03.2026 49min

With the recent international week offering little in the way of drama, we filled our gossip cup with stories off the court in the past few days, including Simon Pytlick's revelations about the breakdown in trust with Flensburg, French coaches displeasure with a non-Frenchman taking over France's national team and Veszprem's players being told there will be consequences if they don't reach the club's lofty goals this season.

Episode 320 - Katie Timmermann on social media fame for the US women and the road to LA28, Aleksa Pavicevic on the Women's Champions League and international week 06.03.2026 51min

A social media post by Coach Jackie J launched the US women's team and their open tryout into the spotlight in January. We speak to national team player and former pro basketballer Katie Timmermann about the whirlwind start to 2026 and her path to a home Olympic Games. Aleksa Pavicevic joins us to break down the group phase of the Women's Champions League and the hard-fought play-offs to come, plus a quick check-in on the national team week with surprise results in the EURO qualifiers.

The Morning Club - 4 March: Handball in the Winter Olympics? Eric Willemsen on the rumoured radical proposal for the sport's Olympic future 04.03.2026 25min

A recent report from Duncan Mackay suggested radical plans are being discussed for the future of the Olympic Games, where the likes of the sliding sports and Nordic combined could be dumped out of the Winter games, while handball and indoor volleyball could be among the sports shifted over from the Summer games. We speak to Associated Press journalist Eric Willemsen, who covers both winter sports and handball, about the reports, new IOC President Kirsty Coventry's "Fit for the Future" initiative, what impact a move like this would have and whether it's likely at all. For access to all our weekly Morning Club episodes, ad-free listening and more bonus content throughout the season, join us on patreon.com/handballhour

Episode 319 - Bundesliga update with Tim Dettmar as Magdeburg finally lose, the race for Europe and to survive takes shape 19.02.2026 39min

It took until the 21st round but German Bundesliga leaders Magdeburg have finally lost. Tim Dettmar joins us to discuss whether the loss to Kiel actually brings a sense of relief and whether the chasing pack has what it takes to catch up. We also look at the broader race for Europe with Lemgo and Gummersbach joining the big dogs and whether Andreas Palicka's move to Wetzlar will be enough to save them from relegation.

Men's EHF EURO 2026 - 2 February: Denmark complete the triple crown on home soil, final review and Alternative Awards with Nedzad Smajlagic 02.02.2026 1t

Men's EHF EURO 2026 - 2 February: Denmark complete the triple crown on home soil, final review and Alternative Awards with Nedzad Smajlagic Denmark are champions of Europe for the first time in 14 years and they did it in style! We look back on the final day of action with the help of Nedzad Smajlagic, then we reminisce on the whole tournament the best way we know how - with our Alternative Awards, featuring classics such as the Swiss Army Knife and Adrian Sipos Award as well as some new categories

Men's EHF EURO 2026 - 29 January: Semi-finals set after Germany deliver and Malmö's Royal Rumble concludes 29.01.2026 48min

One of the most memorable main rounds in recent memory comes to an end with a classic showdown in one group and a proper slog in the other. We look back at the last couple of days, full of drama, some controversy and big moments, before looking ahead to two beautifully matched semi-finals. To enjoy our bonus episodes and ad-free listening throughout the championship and beyond, join us on patreon.com/handballhour

Men's EHF EURO 2026 - 25 January: Main Round taking shape, talking Switzerland's rollercoaster ride with Andy Schmid and Noam Leopold 25.01.2026 57min

The big three in Main Round Group I took control in Herning on Saturday, does that group need another surprise or two to live up to the hype? Meanwhile, one point separates five teams in Group II ahead of some crucial showdowns. We speak to legendary playmaker Andy Schmid about his plunge into the cold water as Switzerland's head coach and to his rising star on the left wing, Noam Leopold, about their wild EURO campaign to date.

Men's EHF EURO 2026 - 23 January: All about Iceland with Björgvin Páll Gustavsson and Snorri Guðjónsson 23.01.2026 22min

It's been 16 years since Iceland last made it through to the semi-finals of a major championship and there's plenty of belief that the wait could end this month. Following a perfect start to the championship, we check in with two men who were part of their 2008 Olympic silver and EURO 2010 bronze medal teams - goalkeeper Björgvin Páll Gustavsson and head coach Snorri Guðjónsson about their approach to the main round and dealing with both the honour and expectation that comes with representing this team. For bonus episodes and ad-free listening throughout the EHF EURO, join us on patreon.com/handballhour

Men's EHF EURO 2026 - 20 January: Germany scrape through, Faroe Islands break through and Switzerland collapse 20.01.2026 47min

The opening days of the championship have thrown up some mad days! We look back at Germany's 48-hour fluctuation from early elimination and disgrace to qualification with two points in hand, Faroe Islands' display of belonging and dominance, plus Switzerland's inexplicable collapse against Slovenia. We also hear from EHF commentator Alex Mair on the groups in Sweden and whether much-hyped Iceland are proving to be the real deal.