Israeli Youth Handball Team Begins European Championship Bid in Belgrade

The Israeli youth handball team is set to start its campaign at the European Championship in Belgrade, Serbia, with their opening match against Croatia scheduled for Wednesday at 13:00. Following the success of the under-21 team, which qualified for next summer's World Championship, the youth team aims to secure a historic first-ever appearance at the World Championship. Achieving a top-14 finish out of 24 teams in the European tournament will grant them a spot at the global event.

The team faces a challenging preliminary group including Croatia, the Czech Republic, and Portugal. The players have limited international experience, having only competed in last summer's qualifiers in Lithuania where they finished second and qualified for the European Championship. Accompanying the team are family members who bring Israeli team gear and flags to create a supportive atmosphere.

Coach Dor Russo expressed optimism ahead of the tournament, highlighting two years of preparation and a dedicated support staff. He emphasized the team's focus on fast-paced handball and aggressive defense to compensate for their lack of height. Russo acknowledged the tough draw but believes in the team's precision and readiness to secure victories.

The squad includes captain Yonatan Pelech and players such as Ruben Oanunu, Itamar Mishraki, and Rom Tobis. The coaching and support team features assistant coach Assaf Siton, physiotherapist Pablo Cornejo Tom, team manager Dor Moshe, psychologist Roy Yabluchnik, and delegation head Gilad Natan. The team’s goal is clear: to qualify for the World Championship and make history by having two Israeli teams compete at the global level in the same summer.