The European Men's Handball Championship takes place in Poland in January 2016 and whilst handball isn’t a hugely popular sport in the UK, its fast pace and exciting gameplay mean it is growing all the time. In many European countries it is among the top sports and 16 nations will battle it out to be crowned the kings of European handball. The European Championship starts on the 15th January with the final on the last day of the month so read on for lowdown on this great event, including betting tips, analysis and predictions.
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Returning to handball and we have to start with the favourites, France. Priced at best betting odds of 9/4 with Ladbrokes, but much shorter elsewhere, France have a serious history in this competition. One of just four teams to have played in all 11 previous championships, they have won three of the last five “Euros”, including the last competition in 2014. As defending champions they will be full of confidence and having topped Group 6 in qualification, with a 100% record and a goal difference of +56, it’s no surprise at all that they are favourites here in Poland.
Boring and predictable it may be, but even at relatively short odds, France just have to be our betting tip in the outright winner market. They are a class act and have the widest pool of players from which to draw. In addition, we feel the horrific Paris attacks that took place in November will galvanise the side even further, with sport a great force for good in times of national grief.
If any side can stop the mighty French then we feel it is not second favourites Denmark, priced at best odds of 4/1 with BetVictor, but hosts Poland. The Poles can be backed at very tempting odds of 7/1 and we predict they will give their home fans lots to shout about. Poland qualified as hosts and whilst they have never won the European Championship, they have made the finals of the last seven tournaments. They finished second at the 2007 worlds and third both in 2015 and 2009 and whilst they have a best finish of fourth at the European Championship (in 2010), on home soil we are confident they could really challenge the French.
In 2014 Denmark were runners-up as hosts so we feel they are unlikely to do any better here, whilst third favourites Spain look just a shade short at 9/2 with Bet365. Spain finished third in 2014 and we predict a similar sort of finish for them here. Croatia are the only other side at single-digit odds and whilst they almost always over-perform in most sports, they just don’t quite have the ability or experience to go all the way.
In conclusion, France are worthy favourites and they are our outright winner betting tip for the 2016 men's European Championship. However, if France’s odds are too short for your liking then Poland are certainly worth considering.