Israeli Youth Handball Team Secures First Win at European Championship

The Israeli youth handball team achieved their first victory at the European Championship on August 3, 2026, defeating Switzerland 44-38. The match took place on Monday, and this win positions Israel to compete for rankings between 9th and 16th place, with their next game scheduled against Montenegro at 13:00 the following day.

Goalkeeper Ruben Ouanono was instrumental in the victory, making 22 saves throughout the game, including 14 in the first half alone. His performance, combined with strong team efforts, especially from top scorer Yonatan Pelech who netted 14 goals, propelled Israel to a significant lead. The team overcame an early deficit of 8-5, leveling the score at 10-10 before pulling ahead to a halftime lead of 21-16.

In the second half, Israel extended their advantage to 26-19 but faced a Swiss comeback narrowing the gap to 29-27. After a timeout called by coach Dor Russo, Israel responded with a 3-0 run, maintaining control and securing the win. Other notable contributors included Geva Dagani and Nevo Masika, each scoring seven goals, and Tomer Michalis with five. The victory keeps Israel's hopes alive for a strong finish in the tournament.