The Parisians' programmes at EHF Euro 2024

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With less than a week to go until the EHF Euro 2024 preliminary round begins, check out the full programme for the seven Rouge et Bleu players who will be representing their countries.

FRANCE'S PROGRAMME, WITH NIKOLA, LUKA AND ELOHIM

France have been drawn in Group A for this preliminary round, and will face Northern Macedonia, Switzerland and hosts Germany. Les Bleus will play the opening match of the Euros against the Northern Macedonians in Düsseldorf on 10 January in a match that could go down in history. Taking centre stage at the Merkur Spiel-Arena, Nikola, Luka, Elohim and the rest of the France squad will begin their quest for the title in front of 50,000 spectators - a crowd that will in all likelihood break the world record for a handball match.

After facing Switzerland on 14 January, Guillaume Gille's men will meet Germany in Berlin on 16 January to close out the preliminary round. It's a prestigious clash for Les Bleus, almost a year after their 35-28 quarter-final win over Germany at the 2023 World Cup.

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FRANCE’S FIXTURES

  • Wednesday 10 January 2024 at 18:00: France - North Macedonia (Matchday 1 - Merkur Spiel-Arena, Düsseldorf)
  • Sunday 14 January 2024 at 18:00: Switzerland - France (Matchday 2 - Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin)
  • Tuesday 16 January 2024 at 20:30: France - Germany (Round 3 - Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin)

THE NETHERLANDS' PROGRAMME, WITH LUC STEINS

Having made steady progress over the last few years, the Netherlands will be aiming to qualify for the main round of a European Championship for the first time. To do so, Luc Steins and his team will have to emerge from Group E, which comprises Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia and Sweden. The Dutch adventure kicks off on 11 January against Georgia, who have qualified for the first time in their history. The Dutch face Bosnia-Herzegovina two days later, before finishing with a decisive clash against Andreas Palicka's Sweden on 15 January.

THE NETHERLANDS’ FIXTURES

  • Thursday 11 January 2024 at 18:00: Netherlands - Georgia (Matchday 1 - SAP Arena, Mannheim)
  • Saturday 13 January 2024 at 18:00: Bosnia-Herzegovina - Netherlands (Matchday 2 - SAP Arena, Mannheim)
  • Monday 15 January 2024 at 20:30: Sweden - Netherlands (Round 3 - SAP Arena, Mannheim)

SWEDEN'S PROGRAMME, WITH ANDREAS PALICKA

Drawn in Group E alongside, among others, Luc Steins' Netherlands, Sweden will be keen to assert their status as favourites at Euro 2024. Reigning European champions and third at the 2023 World Cup following their semi-final elimination by Les Bleus, the Swedes will begin their bid for a sixth title with a clash against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Like the Netherlands, the Bosnians have been on the rise in recent years, but are still looking for their first win, having lost all six of their matches since their historic qualification for EHF Euro 2020. The Scandinavians will then take on Georgia, newcomers to the competition. The final day of the preliminary round will see Andreas Palicka and Luc Steins go head-to-head in a match that could prove decisive for both sides.

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SWEDEN'S FIXTURES

  • Thursday 11 January 2024 at 20:30: Sweden - Bosnia-Herzegovina (Matchday 1, SAP Arena, Mannheim)
  • Saturday 13 January 2024 at 20:30: Georgia - Sweden (Matchday 2, SAP Arena, Mannheim)
  • Monday 15 January 2024 at 20:30: Sweden - Netherlands (Round 3, SAP Arena, Mannheim)

POLAND’S PROGRAMME, WITH KAMIL SYPRZAK

Led by an imperious Kamil Syprzak at the start of the season, Poland are determined to play the role of dark horses, and will be looking to qualify for the main round for the second tournament in a row. Up against Norway, Slovenia and the Faroe Islands in Group D, the Poles will have to play their cards right. Kamil and co. kick off their campaign with a clash against Norway, before taking on Slovenia. Finally, the Poles take on the Faroe Islands, who have qualified for the first time in their history, on Matchday 3 of this preliminary round.

POLAND'S FIXTURES

  • Thursday 11 January 2024 at 20:30: Norway - Poland (Matchday 1, Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin)
  • Saturday 13 January 2024 at 18:00: Poland - Slovenia (Matchday 2, Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin)
  • Monday 15 January 2024 at 18:00: Poland - Faroe Islands ( Matchday 3, Merces-Benz Arena, Berlin)

HUNGARY'S PROGRAMME, WITH DOMINIK MATHÉ

Eliminated in the preliminary round of their home tournament in 2022, Hungary will be looking to bounce back and reach the main round again in Germany. Dominik and co. will have to get the better of Montenegro, Serbia and Iceland in a particularly evenly-matched Group E. The Hungarians kick off their tournament against Montenegro, who only just qualified thanks to their status as best third-placed team. The Magyars will then take on Serbia, who are seeking their first qualification for the main round since 2018, before meeting Iceland, who were beaten in the preliminary round of the 2023 World Cup.

HUNGARY'S FIXTURES

  • Friday 12 January 2024 at 20:30: Hungary - Montenegro (Matchday 1, Olympiahalle, Munich)
  • Sunday 14 January 2024 at 20:30: Serbia - Hungary (Matchday 2, Olympiahalle, Munich)
  • Tuesday 16 January 2024 at 20:30: Iceland - Hungary ( Matchday 3, Olympiahalle, Munich)

(Credits: L. Valroff/Team Pics/PSG)