Members of the EUSA office travelled to Vienna, Austria on February 27 where a fruitful meeting was held with officials from the European Handball Federation (EHF).

The one-day meeting gave both organisations an opportunity to reflect on joint ventures and competitions held last year, while discussing the preparations and needs for both university Handball and Beach Handball events in the near future.

Present on behalf of EHF was Secretary General Mr Martin Hausleitner, Beach Handball Commission Chairman Mr Ole Jorstad, Office staff members Ms Ivana Jelic and Mr Marcos Bestilleiro as well as Ms Jelena Rakonjac, a member of the Beach Handball Commission as well as EUSA Technical Delegate for both Handball and Beach Handball.

EUSA was represented in Vienna by Secretary General Mr Matjaz Pecovnik, Sports Manager Mr Besim Aliti and Sports Assistant Ms Lea Medvesek.

The meeting began with an evaluation of the 2019 European Universities Handball Championship, where possible improvements in both the organisation and promotion of the event were discussed, before an evaluation of the EHF referee’s clinic that was held at the event was made. Thereafter, the same topics were presented in terms of Beach Handball, while discussing the arrangements for the maiden Beach Handball competition at this year’s European Universities Games in Belgrade, Serbia as well as next year’s EUSA Beach Handball Championship in Malaga, Spain.



Both EHF and EUSA expressed great satisfaction in their cooperation so far, with both parties particularly pleased with the nomination of EUSA Technical Delegates made directly through the EHF, the hosting of the indoor Handball referee's clinic and the inclusion of EHF referees in the Beach Handball event, the success of the very first EUSA-EHF Beach Handball Championship as well as the support shown by the EHF in the provision of sports equipment at EUSA events.

Both partners were well-pleased with the preparations for both handball competitions at next year's Championship in Spain as well as this year's competition at the European Universities Games, where a major legacy for Beach Handball will be left in Belgrade following the construction of the new 1000-seater Beach Arena at Ada Ciganlija, built specifically for the Games.

Special compliments were reserved for Ms Rakonjac for the superb work and efforts she has made since being nominated as EUSA Technical Delegate for Beach Handball, while serving in the same position as Technical Delegate for Handball as well.

Both EHF and EUSA acknowledged that there is huge potential to make EUSA Handball and Beach Handball events even bigger due to the exponential increase in popuarity in both events in recent years.



Both agreed to increase efforts in the field of public relations, media and broadcasting, while also discussing potential collaboration in other areas including European projects.