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Buy tickets for Netherlands vs Croatia - Handball – European Handball Championship 2026 Buy tickets for Netherlands vs Croatia - Handball – European Handball Championship 2026

Handball – European Handball Championship 2026 (GROUP E)
19. January 2026. 17:00h
Netherlands vs Croatia
Malmö Arena, Malmo, SE
2026
19
January
Photo by: Domagoj Skledar/ arhiva (vlastita)
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Tickets for Netherlands vs Croatia, 2026 European Handball Championship, Malmö Arena - online ticket buying

Looking for tickets for Netherlands vs Croatia at Malmö Arena? Get straight to ticket buying and secure seats for Round 2 of the 2026 European Handball Championship, with the key match details, start time 17:00, and quick tips for arriving via Hyllie station. Hit the dw869n button and lock in your place before the best sections go
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Spectacle of Group E in Malmö

The Netherlands vs Croatia clash at Malmö Arena brings a match that as early as the second round can set the direction of the entire Group E, because it is played between a national team that grows from tournament to tournament and a team that, even amid a generational change, carries the burden of great expectations. According to the match schedule, the fixture is tied to Malmö Arena and the date of 19 January, and in some international calendars a start at 17:00 is stated, while in separate match records a kick-off time of 18:00 is also listed, which is important to check before heading to the arena so that you are in your seats on time. Precisely for that reason, ticket sales have been attracting special attention these days, because it is a slot when fan interest usually rises after the first games and when, inside the arena, you can feel how open the group truly is. If you are planning the trip or want to be part of the atmosphere in Hyllie, buying tickets in time brings security and a better choice of seats, and the impression from the stands is often what is remembered as much as the result. Secure your tickets now and click the button below, because tickets for a clash like this can become sought-after as soon as the competition heats up and as soon as the first projections of the group standings start.

The broader picture of the competition and what the second round means

In the group phase in Malmö, from 17 to 21 January, Croatia, the Netherlands and Georgia meet alongside host Sweden, and the city announces six group matches and then the continuation of the competition in the same city from 23 to 28 January, which gives Malmö the role of a handball hub for several consecutive days. The second round is often psychologically and in terms of points a turning point, because after the opening performance comes the first real test of adapting to the tournament tempo, the referees, the arena and the logistics, and points begin to add up with a clearer picture of who is ready to fight for progression. For fans, that means that tickets for this event do not carry only the promise of one evening, but also the opportunity to feel the pulse of the tournament already now in a city that expects a celebration of sport and strong fan engagement. In practice, already at this stage a balance is sought between risk and control, because every mistake in transition, every suspension and every series of lost balls can become a difference that is later hard to make up. If you are going to the match, consider arriving earlier as well, because entry into the arena, checks and crowds around Hyllie station during major-event time slots can eat up precious minutes, and with tickets in your pocket the whole experience becomes calmer and more pleasant.

Croatia between a new era and medal expectations

Croatia comes to Malmö with the reputation of a team that knows how to raise its level in key moments at major competitions, and additional weight is added by the fact that at the 2025 world showcase it won silver, which is a big signal of continuity at the top. In the more recent period the national team is led by Dagur Sigurdsson, and the role of leader on the court has taken on a new face, because Ivan Martinović has been highlighted as captain and at the same time carries the story of a player who confirmed his status on the big stage. It was precisely Martinović who at the 2025 world competition was rewarded with a place in the best lineup at the right back position, alongside 41 goals and a silver medal, which is the figure that best describes his efficiency and importance in attack. But Croatia does not arrive in Malmö as a one-man team, but as a squad in which depth is key, from goalkeeper to wings, and the tournament rhythm demands rotation and freshness. In such a context, tickets for this match become an entry into the story of a national team seeking a new identity without giving up ambition, so the fans’ voice from the stands can be additional energy in moments when the result is on the line.
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Squad and roles: who sets the rhythm

Sigurdsson’s final list for the European Championship includes three goalkeepers and a wide back line, and the names and appearance numbers clearly show that Croatia has a combination of experience and new solutions. Among the goalkeepers are Dominik Kuzmanović, Matej Mandić and Dino Slavić, and on the wings and in transition important roles are held by David Mandić, Marin Jelinić and Zvonimir Srna, alongside a range of backcourt players who can take responsibility in different phases of attack. In the middle, Luka Cindrić remains the key organizer of rhythm and tempo changes, while Tin Lučin, Marko Mamić, Mateo Maraš and Luka Lovre Klarica provide width in shooting and penetration, and in both directions stability and discipline are required. On the line and in the fight for space Leon Šušnja and Veron Načinović are important, and there are also additional solutions that can close down the defense or open up the attack depending on the opponent and the situation. Such a roster gives the possibility to play against the fast Netherlands with more variants, from a firmer defense to a quicker ball outlet, and for spectators in Malmö Arena that means a dynamic match with many tactical details. Tickets for this clash therefore have additional value, because live you best see the little things that often slip by on a broadcast, such as defensive agreements, the bench’s reactions and micro-duels at nine meters.

The Netherlands as a growing challenger

The Netherlands has been building a recognizable style for several cycles and step by step expanding its player base in strong leagues, and the latest results suggest steady progress and ever less awe of the big names. At the 2025 world competition they finished 12th, which is a move forward compared to 2023 when they were 14th, so ahead of this clash there is also talk of a national team that knows how to use a good rhythm and punish an opponent’s drop in concentration. Head coach Staffan Olsson for Euro 2026 announced a selection of 18 players, with the note that Kay Smits will not play out of precaution, which changes the distribution of shooting and responsibility in the back line. Even without him, the Netherlands has players who can speed up the game, stretch the defense and force the opponent into suspensions, and such details often decide group matches. For fans considering coming, buying tickets means the opportunity to see live what a national team looks like that in a short period is learning to win high-pressure matches, and in Malmö Arena such duels come particularly to the fore.

Wing speed and game organization

Rutger ten Velde stands out as one of the Netherlands’ trademarks, because at the previous European edition he was the national team’s top scorer with 45 goals, and he repeated the same at the 2025 world competition with 46 goals in six matches. Such output from the left wing changes the way opponents defend the return run and spacing, because every lost ball can become a fast goal and a run that carries energy to the entire bench. The selection also includes players who can run the attack through the middle, among them Luc Steins, and alongside him are Dani Baijens, Bobby Schagen and a range of other names from Olsson’s published list, which speaks to continuity and a clear hierarchy of roles. Croatia in such a clash will have to watch its control of rhythm, especially the take-overs at nine meters and the retreat run after shots from the second line, because the Netherlands likes to punish the smallest space. In matches like this, one or two defensive blocks and one series of saves often completely change the flow, so the duel of goalkeepers and defensive formations will be just as important as attacking efficiency. If you want to feel that chess-like part of handball from the front row, tickets are the best way to experience how the crowd reacts to every lost attack, every seven-meter throw and every run of goals.
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Head-to-head and numbers that create the story

The history of meetings between Croatia and the Netherlands in major competitions is not long, so every new duel is an opportunity to write a fresh layer of rivalry, without the heavy burden of tradition, but with clear points importance. In the statistics that follow this match it is stated that in the last recorded meetings there are no Dutch wins and that a draw has been recorded, which further emphasizes how few direct references there are and how decisive current form will be. That is precisely why coaches often go in with a more cautious start, test reactions to crosses and double blocks, and only later open up full rotation and risk in defense. Croatia in such situations relies on experience in managing tournament matches, while the Netherlands tries to surprise with rhythm and width, especially through fast wings and an early shot from the second line. For the crowd, that means the ticket is in fact entry into a match that can go in several different directions, from firm trench handball to an open exchange of goals, and each of those variants has its own special atmosphere in the arena.

Malmö Arena and the Hyllie district as the backdrop

Malmö Arena in Hyllie has in recent years become one of the symbols of major events in the city, and for sports events it accommodates around 12,600 spectators including the stands, which is a figure that creates real arena noise when it is filled. The arena opened in 2008 and was conceived as a multifunctional space, so besides sports it regularly hosts large music and other events, which can be seen in the infrastructure, entrance zones and the layout of the stands. For fans, that means the arrival experience is relatively straightforward, but also that on days of major matches increased crowds are expected around entrances, checks and corridors, so the recommendation is to arrive earlier. Ticket sales in such an environment are not just a formality, because in an arena with strong acoustics your seat in the stands changes the experience, from the view of tactical details to the feeling of closeness to the court. Buy tickets via the button below if you want to be part of an atmosphere that in Malmö often spreads beyond the arena, because in evening time slots Hyllie becomes a zone of fan gathering, and matches like this turn the district into a sports festival.

Arrival by train, bus and plane

Hyllie is a transport hub of the region and Malmö Arena is located right next to Malmö Hyllie Station, and from the arena’s official information it is emphasized that the station is only about 80 meters away, which is a big advantage for everyone arriving by public transport. For those traveling from outside Sweden, the connection with Copenhagen Airport is especially practical, because it is stated that the airport is about 12 minutes away, which for many enables arrival even without a car. Traveling by train to central Malmö is short, and it is also stated that Malmö Central Station is about six minutes away, with frequent departures throughout the day, so planning the return after the match is easier than in many other cities. Bus lines to Hyllie Stationstorg further relieve traffic, and the arena’s official instructions list several local and regional lines that stop in the immediate vicinity. If you are arriving by car, it is good to work out the route and parking in advance, because during major events traffic toward Hyllie Boulevard and the surrounding streets can slow down, and stress about arrival often spills over into the match experience. When you are already planning the trip, securing tickets in advance allows you to focus on logistics, not on last-minute searching, especially if you want to enter the arena early enough for the warm-up and the first fan wave.
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What to expect on match day

The official visitor address for Malmö Arena lists HYLLIE STATIONSTORG 2, 215 32 MALMÖ, and navigation often also uses the broader Hyllie area, so it is good to save the location before departure. On match day the most important thing is to plan to arrive at least 45 to 60 minutes earlier, because entrance corridors, checks and movement through the arena during a major competition time slot can take time, especially if higher attendance is expected. In its facts, the arena also states a large number of amenities within the facility, including fast food and kiosks and a large number of restrooms, which makes staying easier when crowds form during breaks. In terms of the experience, it is worth arriving earlier also because the atmosphere is built gradually, from the first fan songs to the moment when the lineups are announced, and then you best feel how much the crowd can lift the team. Tickets and admission passes are thus not only a formality for entry, but also the key to a calm passage through organization, because with a secured seat in advance it is easier to plan transport, entry time, and possibly socializing before the match in Hyllie. Tickets for this clash disappear quickly, so buy tickets in time and arrive earlier so that the whole trip to the arena is pleasant, without rushing and unnecessary stress.

Tactical themes that can decide the clash

The Croatia vs Netherlands match opens several clear tactical questions, and the first is transition control, because the Netherlands through the wings and a fast first wave looks for goals before the Croatian defense is set. Croatia in that segment will have to be patient in attack, avoid risky passes and poor shots from unprepared positions, because it is precisely such situations that an opponent with fast wings turns into easy goals. The second key is the duel at nine meters, where the Croatian back line can use width and shooting, but with mandatory disciplined retreating, while the Netherlands often tries to stretch the defense through quick crosses and runs without the ball. The third element is goalkeeper performance, because in a group with a tight schedule one top-class goalkeeper night can bring both points and a psychological edge for the continuation of the competition, especially if the saves come in series and break the opponent’s momentum. Ultimately, the issue of seven-meter throws and suspensions often decides such clashes, so both national teams will try to force the opponent into fouls in the shooting zone, and then convert cold-bloodedly. For a spectator watching live, that is precisely the part that makes buying tickets worthwhile, because from the arena you best see how the defense changes, how communication happens on the retreat, and how the crowd reacts to every contentious decision, and that energy sometimes pushes a team through the hardest minutes.

Fan interest and the atmosphere in the host city

Malmö as the host city announces that the competition will be strongly present in the city, with the expectation of top-level handball, activities and fan engagement that is felt beyond the arena itself. In such an environment a match like Netherlands vs Croatia gains an additional layer, because fans meet in the same district, share transport, fill the surrounding spaces and create that kind of buzz that makes tournaments special. Croatian fans traditionally travel to major competitions, and Hyllie, because of the proximity of the station and a fast connection with the region, is suitable for a one-day arrival or a short stay, which in practice often increases interest in tickets in the last days before the match. In addition, part of the audience comes also because of the arena itself and the experience of a major sports event, because an arena with a sports-event capacity of 12,600 spectators gives the feeling of a true handball cauldron when it is filled and when the match gets rolling in runs. If you are planning the trip or want to feel tournament Malmö from the inside, ticket sales are available and it is best to secure your place while there is still a choice, because interest often intensifies as the second round approaches and as it becomes clearer who is building momentum in the group. Secure your tickets now and click the button below, because evenings like this in Malmö Arena offer a combination of sport, city and fan experience that rarely repeats in the same form.
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Sources:
- TNT Sports: match preview Netherlands - Croatia with venue and time and basic statistics and the group table
- history.eurohandball.com: details of the Group E match with the arena and timetable and the official schedule record
- HRT Sport: final list of Croatia players for the European Championship and information about the match schedule in the group
- ehfeuro.eurohandball.com: Croatia profile with the context of the 2025 silver and the role of Ivan Martinović and the coach
- ehfeuro.eurohandball.com: Netherlands profile with Rutger ten Velde’s standout performance and the context of the 2025 result
- Handbal.nl: published Netherlands selection for Euro 2026 with the player list and information about Kay Smits’ absence
- Malmö Arena: Facts on capacity for sports events and basic data about the venue
- Malmö Arena: Find us with the address HYLLIE STATIONSTORG 2 and practical arrival instructions and time distances
- Malmö stad: overview of hosting the competition in Malmö, group match dates and the continuation of the competition in the city

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3 hours ago, Author: Sports desk

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