“LONG HANDBALL SUMMER” – EHF set June 1 for the re-opening the season

Posted on 25. March 2020.

We are waiting for long – hot summer according to the new conclusion of the EHF Executive Committee which postponed action from April and May to June-September period due coronavirus pandemia.

Summary of the decisions of the EHF Executive Committee

It is the common approach that matches will only be played if a safe environment for everyone involved can be assured
If rounds cannot be played and matches are cancelled, results from rounds already completed will count for further qualification upon confirmation of the EHF
In April and May, no competitions organised under the umbrella of the EHF will be played
The EHF FINAL4s and the MEN’S EHF Cup Finals will be postponed and moved to their alternative dates in August and September 2020 respectively
The new competition plan outlining a potential schedule from 3 June to 5 July including qualification rounds for both men’s and women’s club and national team competitions has been confirmed by the Executive Committee
A mandate has been given to adapt the 2019/20 handball calendar accordingly and following the development of the international sports scene, e.g. the Olympic Games and corresponding qualifications, the 2020/21 calendar may also be adapted

Overview final tournaments

The DELO WOMEN’S EHF FINAL4 in Budapest, scheduled for 9 and 10 May 2020, will be moved to its alternative date, 5 and 6 September 2020
The MEN’S EHF Cup Finals in Berlin, scheduled for 23 and 24 May 2020, will be moved to its alternative date, 29 and 30 August 2020.
The VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne, scheduled for 30 and 31 May, will be moved to its alternative date, 22 and 23 August 2020

The EHF Marketing GmbH and its respective teams working on the events’ organisation are already preparing the full programme and all purchased tickets for the three events will remain valid.

The Men’s 20 EHF EURO 2020, scheduled from 2 to 12 July in Austria and Italy, as well as the corresponding Men’s 20 EHF Championships in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Latvia will be postponed to the period 13 to 23 August, parallel to the Men’s 18 EHF EURO in Slovenia and the Men’s 18 EHF Championships in Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Montenegro

Overview competition plan for June/July 2020

Week 1 (1 to 7 June)

VELUX EHF Champions League Last 16 (first leg Wednesday/Thursday; second leg Saturday/Sunday)
MEN’S EHF Cup Group Phase (Round 5 on Wednesday/Thursday; Round 6 on Saturday/Sunday)
Men’s Challenge Cup Quarter-finals (first leg Wednesday/Thursday; second leg Saturday/Sunday)
Women’s EHF EURO 2020 Qualifiers Rounds 3 to 6, played in a tournament format with all matches in one venue (Wednesday to Sunday)

The latest date for these matches to be cancelled by the EHF is 15 May 2020.

Week 2 (8 to 14 June)

No EHF competitions planned

Week 3 (15 to 21 June)

DELO WOMEN’S EHF Champions League Quarter-finals (first leg Wednesday/Thursday; second leg Saturday/Sunday)
WOMEN’S EHF Cup and Women’s Challenge Cup are foreseen to be played in an EHF FINAL4 format in one venue over two playing days
Men’s World Championship 2021 Play-offs Phase 1 (first leg Wednesday/Thursday; second leg Saturday/Sunday)

The latest date for these matches to be cancelled by the EHF is 29 May 2020.

Week 4 (22 to 28 June)

VELUX EHF Champions League Quarter-finals (first leg Wednesday/Thursday; second leg Saturday/Sunday)
MEN’S EHF Cup Quarter-finals (first leg Wednesday/Thursday; second leg Saturday/Sunday)
The Men’s Challenge Cup is foreseen to be played in an EHF FINAL4 format in one venue over two playing days

The latest date for these matches to be cancelled by the EHF is 5 June 2020.

Week 5 (29 June to 5 July)

Men’s World Championship 2021 Play-offs Phase 2 (first leg Wednesday/Thursday; second leg Saturday/Sunday)

Confirmation for these dates will be sought with the IHF. The latest date for these matches to be cancelled by the EHF is 12 June 2020.

“The European Handball Federation will continue to monitor the situation in the different countries and adapt accordingly,” concluded Michael Wiederer.