Swedish Handball Federation (SHF)

News Summary:

The European Handball Federation (EHF) revised its age classification for beach championships on February 1, 2026, meaning players born in 2009 and 2010, rather than the previously decided 2010 and 2011, will now represent the Swedish Handball Federation (SHF) at the championship in Zagreb from July 1-5. This follows the SHF's January 22, 2026, announcement that its national transfer window for players born in 2009 and earlier would close at midnight on February 15, prohibiting further transfers between February 16 and April 30, except under specific competition regulations. Earlier, on January 19, 2026, Jennie Linnell, project leader for "Hand the Ball," highlighted the inclusive movement and leadership concept's importance for Swedish handball, connecting its focus on play, joy, and participation to the upcoming EM 2026 European Championship on home soil. Previously, on January 18, 2026, the federation hosted a collaboration-focused meeting in Malmö, where representatives from clubs including Lödde Vikings HK and IK Sävehof engaged in a panel discussion on association development. In December 2025, the Swedish Handball Association began seeking organizers for the 2028 and 2029 USM (Swedish Youth Championship) final tournaments, an event that typically generates around 16.5 million kronor in tourist revenue.