Great Britain’s men’s handball team has made history by securing their first-ever title at the 2025 IHF Men’s Emerging Nations Championship, defeating hosts Bulgaria 29:25 in a thrilling final. This triumph is a testament to the resilience, hard work, and growing strength of British handball, marking a significant milestone in the sport’s development across the UK.
With UK Sport’s backing, the momentum behind handball in Britain is stronger than ever. This funding and support have been instrumental in providing the necessary resources for British athletes to compete, develop, and succeed on the international stage.
This victory was particularly significant as Great Britain had already faced Bulgaria in the group stage, suffering a heavy 35:22 defeat. However, rather than letting that setback define them, the team analysed, adapted, and executed a game plan that led to a triumphant turnaround in the final.
Great Britain focused on neutralising Bulgaria’s offensive threats and strengthening their defensive structure. The transformation from their earlier defeat to their final performance was remarkable, demonstrating the depth of talent and development within the squad.
Bulgaria started strongly, taking an early 5:2 lead, but Great Britain responded with a 3:0 scoring run, edging ahead at 7:6. A pivotal moment came in the 19th minute when Bulgaria’s top scorer, Svetlin Dimitrov, received a red card, shifting the momentum in Britain’s favour.
Several players delivered standout performances to secure the win:
- Francisco Pereira led the charge with 7 goals and 7 assists, showcasing his playmaking ability.
- Goalkeeper Kylian Ferrier was immense in goal, making 13 crucial saves with a 34% efficiency rate, shutting down Bulgaria’s attacking threats.
Reflecting on the achievement, Ricardo Vasconcelos praised the team’s resilience:
“This is an exceptional achievement for Great Britain, testament to the amazing work that clubs in the home nations have been developing. We hope that the desire, resilience, quality, and pride demonstrated by the boys serve as an inspiration to the hundreds of young athletes in our pathway. They fought against all odds and, once again, evidenced the potential that handball has in GB, given the right time and support.”
This success isn’t just about winning a title—it’s about building a legacy. The victory underlines the work being done across handball in the UK, both in performance pathways and grassroots development, ensuring a strong foundation for the future.
This success is a clear indicator that investment in performance and development is paying off—and that British handball is becoming more competitive on the global stage.
This triumph wasn’t just about one match; it was the result of consistent effort and commitment to development. In the semi-finals, Great Britain overcame a four-goal deficit against the United States, winning 29:25 to reach the final.
The experience gained in this tournament will be invaluable for the next generation of players. With continued efforts in grassroots development, the pipeline of talent is growing, ensuring a sustainable future for the sport.
While the men’s team celebrates their historic victory, Great Britain’s women’s team has also been making strides on the international stage, recently returning from the EHF Phase 1 qualifiers. Competing against some of Europe’s strongest emerging teams, the squad demonstrated significant progress and resilience, marking another crucial step in British handball’s development.
The experience gained from these qualifiers is invaluable, providing the squad with exposure to high-level competition and further strengthening the performance pathway for female athletes. With continued investment and support, the women’s team is building towards future success, reinforcing Great Britain’s presence in European handball.
Their journey serves as a testament to the collective progress of British handball, showing that both the men’s and women’s teams are on an upward trajectory, driven by dedication, talent, and a growing national handball framework.
Great Britain’s Emerging Nations Championship triumph is more than just a trophy—it’s a statement of progress. Thanks to UK Sport’s investment and a strong focus on development the sport is growing at both grassroots and elite levels.
With structured pathways, continued investment, and a passionate community driving the sport forward, handball in this country has never been in a stronger position.
As Great Britain lifts the 2025 IHF Men’s Emerging Nations Championship trophy they lay the foundation for a new era of handball in the UK.
English