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Europe’s Rising Generation in Action After Skopje 2025

Written by Daniel Pajuelo on . Posted in EYOF, EYOF, NOC, Skopje 2025, Sports. No Comments on Europe’s Rising Generation in Action After Skopje 2025

Junior Swimming World Championships Kick Off in Otopeni (Romania)

The 2025 Junior Swimming World Championships began on Tuesday, 19 August, in Otopeni, Romania, marking a key event on the international calendar for youth aquatic sports. The competition, running until Sunday 24 August, brings together Europe’s best swimmers under the age of 18, all aiming to consolidate their careers and gain valuable experience on the global stage.

The event takes place at the modern 50-metre Olympic pool in Otopeni, equipped with state-of-the-art timing and live broadcasting technology, and with a seating capacity for 2,400 spectators. The Romanian city is establishing itself as a hub for international youth competitions, following in the footsteps of other high-level events hosted in the country.

The Legacy of Skopje 2025

Just a month ago, from 20 to 26 July, the 2025 European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) was held in Skopje, North Macedonia. The event brought together more than 4,000 young talents from across Europe in 15 sports, including swimming, serving as a platform for the continent’s most promising athletes to shine on an international stage.

Many of the swimmers who excelled in Skopje have now arrived in Otopeni with the confidence and motivation gained from competing at the continental level. Their recent EYOF experience is expected to translate into standout performances at the Junior World Championships, reinforcing the generational renewal of European aquatic sports.

Athletes to Watch

Among the European swimmers drawing attention at this Junior World Championship is Barbara Liepowska (Poland). Having impressed at Skopje 2025 with her speed in the 50 and 100-metre freestyle events, Liepowska arrives in Otopeni with the ambition to perform at the highest level and contend for finals in the sprint events.

Event Expectations

The Junior Swimming World Championships offer young European talents the opportunity not only to demonstrate their sporting development but also to engage in cultural exchange and build international friendships. European teams, traditionally strong in these categories, aim to reaffirm their leadership and identify future champions who may compete at the Olympic Games and senior World Championships.

The championship will feature freestyle, butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and medley events, both individual and relay, ensuring a complete spectacle for fans.

Looking Ahead

Building on the experience gained at Skopje 2025, European athletes arrive in Otopeni with a wealth of competition knowledge that will be evident in every stroke. For many, this Junior World Championship represents the first major step in their professional careers, offering the public a unique chance to witness the next generation of European swimming stars in action.

Europe Meets on the Sand: European Beach Handball Championship 2025 Kicks Off in Alanya

Written by Daniel Pajuelo on . Posted in HBL, EOC, European Games, GENDER, Istambul 2027, M, Olympic Movement, Summer Sports, TUR, W. No Comments on Europe Meets on the Sand: European Beach Handball Championship 2025 Kicks Off in Alanya

Alanya (Türkiye), 7 July 2025 – The Turkish coastal city of Alanya is set to host one of this summer’s most eagerly awaited European sporting events: the 2025 European Beach Handball Championship, where the continent’s top national teams will compete for the senior men’s and women’s titles.

Organised by the European Handball Federation (EHF), the tournament will take place from 8 to 13 July at the Alanya International Beach Sports Centre, located on the iconic Oba Beach. The venue has been specially prepared to welcome over 30 national delegations and hundreds of athletes.

Over the course of six days, 32 teams (16 women’s and 16 men’s) will battle it out in a format that includes a preliminary group stage, a main round and knockout matches, culminating in the finals on Sunday 13 July.

🌍 Continental Representation and Ambitions

This championship brings together the elite of European beach handball, with teams from over 20 countries, including traditional powerhouses such as Spain, Germany, France, Croatia, Hungary, Denmark, Italy, Poland, Norway and Sweden. Emerging nations such as Türkiye, Ukraine, Bulgaria and the Netherlands will also be competing, many of whom have shown marked progress in recent years.

In the women’s competition, the spotlight will be on Spain, three-time European champions (2002, 2006, 2017), who arrive in Alanya with an experienced and competitive squad. Denmark, the defending champions, and strong sides like Croatia and Germany are also tipped to reach the final stages.

In the men’s tournament, Croatia come in as firm favourites, with four European titles to their name (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015). However, the challenge will be stiff, with Germany, Poland and France fielding young, athletic squads. Italy and Hungary have also shown strong form in recent international competitions and could well cause an upset.

🏟️ Venue and Logistics

Matches will be held on six purpose-built sand courts along Alanya’s Mediterranean coastline. The sporting complex has been adapted to accommodate athletes, coaching staff and support teams, in what is expected to be one of the most demanding events of the beach handball season.

In addition to the competition areas, the site offers rest zones, medical facilities, hydration points, physiotherapy centres and shared spaces for athletes. The logistical operation is being coordinated jointly by the EHF and Turkish sports authorities, with a focus on efficiency and athlete well-being.

🔄 Competition Format

The championship kicks off on 8 July with the preliminary group stage (four groups of four teams per category). The top two from each group advance to the main round, while third and fourth-placed teams move into placement rounds.

From 12 July, the tournament will enter the quarter-finals, followed by the semi-finals and finals, which will be held on Sunday 13 July.

Final rankings will play an important role in the European seedings and qualification routes for future world and intercontinental tournaments.

🥇 More Than Just a Title

This championship is not only a showcase for current talent, but also a strategic platform for the growth of beach handball in Europe. Increasingly incorporated into youth programmes and national development pathways, the discipline is on the rise across the continent.

Alanya’s selection as host city reflects its growing reputation as a hub for international beach sports. With its reliable climate, modern infrastructure and spectacular coastal setting, the city offers ideal conditions for elite-level competition.

The senior event also follows on directly from the successful Under-17 European Championship, held in the same venue from 3 to 6 July, where Spain and Germany claimed titles in the women’s and men’s categories, respectively. This continuity strengthens Alanya’s position as Europe’s beach handball capital this summer.

📌 Key Dates – EHF Beach Handball EURO 2025

DateCompetition Stage
8 JulyOpening matches – Group stage begins
9–10 JulyGroup stage continues and Main Round
11 JulyFinal day of Main Round
12 JulyQuarter-finals and Semi-finals
13 JulyFinals and Medal Ceremonies

🏐 A Growing Discipline

With fast-paced rules, high-intensity action and a distinctive atmosphere, beach handball continues to carve out its place in Europe’s summer sporting calendar. The 2025 European Championship promises not only top-level competition but also a celebration of the sport’s growing appeal.

The EHF has invested considerable effort in ensuring the success of this edition, which is set to be a milestone for the discipline. With increased participation, organisational backing and the support of local authorities, the tournament in Alanya aims to elevate beach handball to new heights across the continent.

European Athletics Team Championships 2025: Italy reigns in Madrid as Belgium and Iceland lead the charge in Maribor

European Athletics Team Championships 2025: Italy reigns in Madrid as Belgium and Iceland lead the charge in Maribor

Written by Daniel Pajuelo on . Posted in EOC, ATH, BEL, European Games, ISL, ITA, Summer Sports. No Comments on European Athletics Team Championships 2025: Italy reigns in Madrid as Belgium and Iceland lead the charge in Maribor

Across six action-packed days and two host cities, the 2025 European Athletics Team Championships (ETCH)delivered an electrifying showcase of team spirit, national pride, and elite performances. With the First Division held in Madrid, and both the Second and Third Divisions hosted simultaneously in Maribor, Slovenia, this year’s edition reflected the full scope of European athletics — from powerhouse nations to rising federations making their mark.

🥇 FIRST DIVISION – MADRID: ITALY DEFENDS ITS TITLE IN STYLE

At Madrid’s Estadio Vallehermoso, 16 top-tier national teams battled it out from 26–29 June. Italy retained its crown with a commanding 431.5 points, outpacing Poland (405.5) and Germany (397) in a high-calibre field.

The four-day meet featured standout performances:

  • Femke Bol (Netherlands) smashed the championship record in the women’s 400m with a lightning-fast 49.48 seconds.
  • Miltiadis Tentoglou (Greece) soared to a world-leading 8.46m in the men’s long jump.
  • Young Dutch star Niels Laros took a sensational win in the men’s 5000m, confirming his rise as one of Europe’s brightest distance talents.
  • Poland capped off the event by winning a thrilling mixed 4x400m relay.

At the opposite end of the table, Ukraine, Finland, Lithuania were relegated to the Second Division for 2027, highlighting the unforgiving nature of this fiercely contested format.

(European Athletics)

(European Athletics)

🥈 SECOND DIVISION – MARIBOR: BELGIUM, NORWAY AND SLOVENIA PROMOTED

From 28–29 June, the Poljane Stadium in Maribor hosted a gripping battle for promotion. Belgium emerged victorious with 249.5 points, narrowly ahead of Norway (242) and host nation Slovenia (219.5). All three earned promotion to the top tier in 2027.

Middle-distance events and strong showings in the relays proved decisive for the leading teams. Meanwhile, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Latvia fell to the Third Division after multiple events.

🥉 THIRD DIVISION – MARIBOR: ICELAND LEAD THE WAY IN SURPRISE ASCENT

The Third Division, also staged at Maribor’s Poljane Stadium (24–25 June), featured 15 national teams vying for just three promotion spots. Iceland delivered a standout collective performance, topping the table with 212.5 points. They were joined in promotion by Luxembourg and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Star of the weekend was Gina McNamara (Iceland), who claimed gold in both the women’s 800m and 1500m, while also scoring valuable points in the long jump. Malta achieved a national record in the mixed 4x400m relay and secured a historic fifth-place finish overall — a major milestone for the island nation’s athletics programme.

🔄 PROMOTION AND RELEGATION – EUROPE’S ATHLETIC LANDSCAPE SHIFTS

🏆 Division🟢 Promoted🔴 Relegated
First Division—Ukraine, Finland, Lithuania
Second DivisionBelgium, Norway, SloveniaBulgaria, Cyprus, Latvia
Third DivisionIceland, Luxembourg, Bosnia & Herzegovina—

🌍 TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS CONFIRM THEIR PLACE IN THE ATHLETICS CALENDAR

The 2025 edition once again highlighted the value of a team-based format in an increasingly individual-focused sport. National depth, tactical balance, and unity across disciplines made the difference — as much as any single standout athlete.

From record-breaking brilliance in Madrid to breakthrough moments in Maribor, the ETCH reaffirmed itself as a unique and vital fixture in the European athletics calendar. With new faces rising and others regrouping, the road to 2027 promises even fiercer battles — and fresh stories to be written.