2026 IHF Beach Handball Global Tour – Stage 2: Germany dominate on day one
Germany’s men’s and women’s beach handball teams secured undefeated starts at the second stage of the 2026 IHF Beach Handball Global Tour (BHGT) in Plock, Poland, on Saturday, 13 June. Despite rain-affected conditions, both squads finished the opening day at the top of their respective groups, positioning themselves as favorites to advance to the tour finals.
Did You Know? During their men’s victory against North Macedonia, Germany achieved a +44 point difference, surpassing their previous record of +30 set against Liechtenstein in 2002.
Dominance in the Men’s Competition
The German men’s team, current holders of the European Championship and The World Games titles, opened their campaign with two 2-0 victories. They first defeated host nation Poland (26:18, 20:8) behind 20 points from Lennart Liebeck. They followed this with a decisive 2-0 (30:6, 34:14) win against tournament debutants North Macedonia, led by 18 points from Lars Zelser.
Coach Marten Franke noted that while the team practiced specific tactics to build confidence, the lopsided result against North Macedonia was not a true measure of their potential. Meanwhile, Czechia and Poland both concluded the day with one win and one loss, sitting at two points each. Czechia secured their position by defeating North Macedonia 2-0, while Poland edged out the Czech side 2-0 in a closely contested match.
Women’s Squads Navigate Challenging Conditions
The German women’s team, reigning IHF World Champions, matched their male counterparts by winning both preliminary matches. Their opening 2-0 victory over France was complicated by rain, which Germany coach Alexander Novakovic noted made the ball difficult to handle. Isabel Kattner led the scoring with 12 points against France and added 22 points in a subsequent 2-0 win over Poland.
Poland remains in contention after defeating debutants Czechia 2-1 in a shootout, where Katarzyna Adaczynska recorded 18 points. France also secured a 2-0 victory over Czechia, placing them second in the group standings with two points heading into the final day of preliminary play.
Expert Insight: The tactical adaptability shown by the German teams, particularly under the wet conditions described by coach Alexander Novakovic, highlights the discipline required at the elite level of beach handball. As teams compete for a spot in the BHGT Finals, the focus shifts toward maintaining defensive consistency and minimizing errors in high-pressure shootouts.
Path to the BHGT Finals
The winners of the Plock stage will earn a qualification spot for the BHGT Finals later this year. This pathway mirrors the qualification process from Stage 1 in Zagreb, where the Portugal women’s team and Croatia’s men’s team secured their places. Brazil currently holds the tour title after winning both gold medals in the 2025 Finals Stage.
Looking ahead, the preliminary rounds conclude on Sunday, 14 June, followed by the bronze medal matches and finals. Fans can follow the progression of the tournament via the IHF Competitions YouTube channel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which teams are competing in the second stage in Plock?
The men’s competition includes Germany, Poland, Czechia, and North Macedonia. The women’s competition features Germany, Poland, Czechia, and France.
What is at stake for the winners of this stage?
The winners of the men’s and women’s competitions in Plock will qualify for the BHGT Finals stage, which is scheduled to take place later this year.
How did the weather affect the play on Saturday?
According to Germany women’s coach Alexander Novakovic, the rain made the ball difficult to handle, which led to a tied score for much of the second half of the first set during their match against France.
Which of these teams do you believe has the strongest momentum heading into Sunday’s final matches?