As Europe’s elite youth handballers prepare to take the court for the summer 2026 tournaments, the focus extends far beyond trophies and tactical plays. Through the EHF’s Respect Your Talent programme—created by the European Handball Federation in cooperation with TWIN—the continent’s brightest prospects will connect with legendary ambassadors to master the vital off-court skills required for a sustainable professional career.
Every summer, Europe’s premier youth handball tournaments provide a vital stage for rising stars to gain essential international match experience. In 2026, the spotlight falls on six major M18 and M20 competitions. Beyond the intense on-court action, these tournaments will once again champion holistic athlete development through Respect Your Talent and one of its signature formats, the “Player of the Match Events” (POTM).
Launched in 2019, the POTM Sessions run alongside the youth championships. Designed by TWIN, they create a unique space where the tournament’s standout performers connect directly with legendary figures of the game. Award-winning young talents are invited to exclusive workshops where iconic handball ambassadors share first-hand, practical advice on how to excel both during the 60 minutes on the court and in their lives outside the arena.
2026 summer schedule
This summer, six Younger Age Category (YAC) events will host these specialized player workshops, led by a distinguished lineup of sport ambassadors:
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Men’s 20 EHF EURO 2026 (8–19 July, Romania) — Ambassadors: Vid Kavtičnik & Luka Stepančić
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Men’s 20 EHF Championship I 2026 (12–19 July, Kosovo) — Ambassador: Vlado Šola
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Men’s 20 EHF Championship II 2026 (12–19 July, Kosovo) — Ambassador: Vlado Šola
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Men’s 18 EHF EURO 2026 (29 July–9 August, Serbia) — Ambassadors: Viran Morros & Ljubomir Vranješ
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Men’s 18 EHF Championship I 2026 (3–9 August, North Macedonia) — Ambassador: Luka Žvižej
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Men’s 18 EHF Championship II 2026 (2–9 August, Georgia) — Ambassador: Carlos Prieto
More than 300 emerging talents are projected to participate in these six dedicated sessions over the course of the summer.
The digital edge: Navigating the on- and off-court realities of professional handball
The ultimate mission of the Respect Your Talent framework is to build sustainable pathways that nurture well-rounded, resilient athletes. For the 2026 season, the programme is heavily emphasizing its digital ecosystem—specifically through the Respect Your Talent App and interactive Ambassador Sessions—to offer cutting-edge career resources to the next generation.
A central theme this year is mastering the “Game around the Game”—the hidden, off-court realities of being a professional athlete. By engaging in open, authentic dialogues, the veteran ambassadors will inspire young players to take proactive ownership of their journeys and professionalize their lifestyle choices early on.
The digital foundation of the App includes:
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Comprehensive learning modules: The app features 38 bite-sized training sessions co-created by elite players and industry specialists.
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Holistic topics: Key areas include navigating media relations, balancing a dual career, protecting mental well-being, understanding sports law and anti-doping rules, optimizing nutrition, and utilizing the newly launched module on Injury Management.
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Gamified rewards: By completing modules within the app, users earn tokens to unlock exclusive, live Ambassador Sessions. These virtual roundtables offer a rare opportunity to ask questions and learn directly from global handball icons.
Open to everyone: The Respect Your Talent App is not an exclusive club. Its digital resources are free and accessible to any aspiring athlete, coach, or fan. You can download the App on both the App Store and Google Play Store to start learning from the best in the business.
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