Good news for the Balkans comes from the meeting of The Executive Committee of the European Handball Federation (EHF) in Luxembourg. From the next season, taking into account the needs of clubs from middle-developed handball countries, Europa League will count 32 instead of 24 teams in the group stage.

Instead of two rounds in the qualifiers, one round will be played for placement in the highest quality competition after the Champions League. In the group stage, 16 teams will qualify according to the rating, and the remaining 16 will be known from the qualifying duels between 32 clubs.

It practically means that the road and placement in case of luck in the draw will be made easier for the teams from the region, which in terms of quality are far from the needs of the Europa League, and finances at this moment.

What is also a decision that benefits handball in these areas is the separation of points for the Champions League and the EHF Europa League, given that currently representatives in The Champions League only Croatia and Slovenia have. Before this decision it was done with the former Challenge Cup (EHF Cup). The country rankings will be published this week.

Also from 2024, The European Championship in cadet competition will be expanded from 16 to 24 national teams, thus putting practically all Ex-JU selections in the elite company.