“Masters Handball World Cup: A Celebration of Friendship and Passion”
Tears in the eyes of the winners, an abundance of positive energy, unforgettable days of friendship, and reunions of handball players from 19 countries — this is the Masters Handball World Cup, a project that continues to gain attention and win the hearts of people from across the handball universe year after year.
As per tradition, the Veteran Handball World Cup opened with a dazzling fireworks show that lit up the town of Omiš and its coastline, marking the beginning of the 8th edition of the world’s largest and best-organized veteran handball competition. The breathtaking fireworks crowned the opening ceremony — but it was the closing event that surpassed all expectations.
After the medal and trophy ceremony, conducted by former Croatian national team player Drago Vuković, over 2,000 participants gathered at the Ribnjak Sports Center, dancing to the rhythm of 1980s hits, reminiscing about their youth and glory days on the court. Emotions were running high — smiles, joyful tears, and heartfelt reunions filled the night.
“I must admit my fingers itched watching people my age, and even older, playing with such passion and joy. I’m impressed by how much energy and spirit they put into every match. It was a pleasure to hand out the awards and to see some familiar faces from the handball courts,” said Vuković.
The tournament has grown significantly since it began in 2017. This year, a record-breaking 314 teams (198 men’s and 116 women’s) from 29 countries and five continents — Europe, Asia, Africa, South and North America — gathered in Omiš. Backed by the Government of Croatia as a top-tier event, the competition has become a global veteran sports celebration.
“It’s been a very intense week, the result of a year-long preparation. Every year we try to raise the quality, and that takes enormous effort from our small team involved in all three projects — the Veteran Handball and Basketball World Cups, and the Handball Goalkeeper Camp. We’re happy everything went smoothly again this year. We’ll open registration for the next camp in ten days — same time, same place, next year,” said tournament organizer Mario Čaljkušić, receiving praise from participants.
Players were equally enthusiastic:
“We’re tired but happy. Five amazing days in the sun, sea, and surrounded by handball friends have recharged us for next year. This was our third appearance — we’ll definitely return,” said Krisztina Berecki of Hungary’s Mario Nett Veszprem.
“It’s my first time here, and everything my friends told me about this tournament is true — beautiful nature, fantastic organization, and wonderful people who share the love for handball. I’m glad I came,” said Morera Virginia Pujol from Celtic Legends, the largest delegation with over 40 players — ironically, not a single Irish native among them despite all being based in Dublin.
“Handball is still developing in Ireland. We’re working on youth programs, but there are only two full-size courts in all of Dublin. Our teams are mostly made up of foreign workers who played handball in their youth,” explained Nicolas Fredin.
“I’ve played in many major tournaments, but rarely have I seen such beautiful medals and trophies. Hats off to the organizers — this will be a wonderful memory in my collection,” added Eduardo Amuri from Brazil.
2025 Masters Handball World Cup – Winners by Category
Men 60+
Cerhand Maringa (BRA)
MAFC Masters (HUN)
Roma Handball (ITA)
Best GK: Hernadi Szendrei Zsolt (MAFC)
Top Scorer: Soufiene Kabtni (Roma Handball)
MVP: Luiz Fonseka (Cerhand Maringa)
Men 55+
Budapest Old Boys (HUN)
Alpha Ro (ROM)
BMS Chile (CHI)
Best GK: Dragomir Florin (Alpha Ro)
Top Scorer: Patricio Police (BMS Chile)
MVP: Istvan Pasztor (Budapest Old Boys)
Women 50+
Dicken Goldies (FIN)
Csikdzereda (HUN)
Best GK: Susanne Wiedmer (Dicken Goldies)
Top Scorer: Adriana Inoan (Csikszereda)
MVP: Catharina Grundfelt (Dicken Goldies)
Men 50+
Budapest Old Boys (HUN)
Brazukas Hand (BRA)
Rohdiamanten Bozen (ITA)
Best GK: Gabor Petrovszki
Top Scorer: Andrea Cappuccini
MVP: Robson Santos
Women 45+
HBH Morava (CZE)
Slitu (NOR)
HM Ostrava (CZE)
Best GK: Pavlina Salvova
Top Scorer: Veronika Heitmankova
MVP: Elizabeth Fjeld
Men 45+
CESP Ceres (BRA)
Kauno Ažuolas (LTU)
Chrobry Glogow (POL)
Best GK: Mendes Pereira
Top Scorer: Grzegorz Piotrowski
MVP: Darius Talaeka
Women 40+
Slavia Praha (CZE)
Kauno Ažuolas (LTU)
No Limits (POL)
Best GK: Kristyna Kleekova
Top Scorer: Valda Šokellene
MVP: Klara Nožiekova
Men 40+
Bucovina (ROM)
Smarskai (LTU)
Masters Kielce (POL)
Best GK: Nicola Mihai
Top Scorer: Tirzoru Relu
MVP: Arminas Grigenas
Women 35+
Liberty Kharkiv (UKR)
Jelenia Gora Masters (POL)
Carpathian Flames (ROM)
Best GK: Anca Moraru
Top Scorer: Paulina Nosal
MVP: Lilia Balanchuk
Men 35+
Golden Boys Merasport (ROM)
Madinet Masr (EGY)
Aspire (EGY)
Best GK: Adrian Vasile Valean
Top Scorer: Felipe Almeida
MVP: Hamady Karim Hamady
The 9th Masters Handball World Cup will be held in May 2025.
