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Buy tickets for Poland vs Italy - Handball – European Handball Championship 2026 Buy tickets for Poland vs Italy - Handball – European Handball Championship 2026

Handball – European Handball Championship 2026 (GROUP F)
20. January 2026. 17:00h
Poland vs Italy
Kristianstad Arena, Kristianstad, SE
2026
20
January
Photo by: Domagoj Skledar/ arhiva (vlastita)
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Tickets for Poland vs Italy, European Handball Championship 2026 at Kristianstad Arena and ticket sales

Looking for tickets for Poland vs Italy at the European Handball Championship 2026? Here you can go straight to ticket purchase for Kristianstad Arena in Kristianstad, learn what to watch on court, and plan your arrival, seating and game-night atmosphere before Group F round three draws extra demand
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A match that could decide Group F

Poland and Italy enter the third round of the 2026 European Handball Championship with a very clear stake: in Group F, every point can be the difference between advancing and an early exit, and the schedule is set up so that the picture of the group often crystallizes right at the end of the preliminary phase. The match is played at Kristianstad Arena, at Västra Storgatan 69, Kristianstad, and from the start it carries a “tournament” feel because a tougher tempo is expected, shorter scoring runs, and an emphasized importance of defense and goalkeepers. In local Central European time, kickoff is at 18:00, while some schedules list 17:00 UTC, so it’s useful to check the time according to your own time zone before traveling or following the broadcast. Kristianstad is one of the Swedish stops of the championship, and the arena is known for its intimate acoustics and an exceptionally close contact between the crowd and the court, which further boosts ticket demand. Ticket sales are available, and interest in matches like these at the end of the group traditionally rises as the first knockout cut approaches. Secure your tickets now via the button labeled

below, because for pairings like these there is often demand for “one seat more” as match day approaches.

What the road to this match looks like within the tournament

The preliminary format emphasizes continuity, and Group F in Kristianstad brings together four national teams that differ stylistically and therefore produce very different kinds of matches, from running games to “chess-like” contests in set offense. Italy opens in Kristianstad against Iceland, then plays against Hungary, and then comes the final duel against Poland, which means that in the third round there can be a situation where qualification or a more favorable points carry-over is decided. Poland, before facing Italy, has duels against Hungary and Iceland, so in the last group match it will know exactly whether it needs a win, a point, or a better goal difference, which often changes the approach in the finish. Kickoff times in the preliminary round are mostly arranged in evening blocks, and Kristianstad is positioned in the schedule as a venue that hosts two matches per day, so fan dynamics spill from one match into the next. That is precisely why tickets gain extra value: the spectator often gets the sense of a full competitive day, with an atmosphere that builds through the entire program, not just one match. Before the tournament begins, the “current standings” of the group are of course at zero, but after the first rounds the table can already look dramatic, and the third round regularly brings the most tactical calculations. In such a framework, Poland vs Italy is not just another match, but a potential turning point, which is why tickets are sought earlier and travel planning becomes part of the experience.
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Poland: squad depth and clear roles in the backcourt line

Poland arrives in Kristianstad with a list that combines experienced internationals with a high number of caps and players who are making their mark through clubs in multiple leagues, giving it depth in rotation and the ability to adapt to opponents. On the official lists, players with major international output stand out, such as Arkadiusz Moryto, who carries a high number of appearances and goals in his career, and Michal Daszek, another wing player whose output is measured in hundreds of goals on the international stage. In the backcourt line there are options of different profiles, from powerful shooters and “two-meter” backs to playmakers, and there are also players coming from regionally close clubs, which makes name recognition easier for the Croatian audience. A key part of the team’s identity is formed by the pivot players, where profiled players such as Maciej Gebala and Patryk Walczak stand out, providing an anchor in attack and solidity in defense. Poland’s coaching structure on the list includes head coach Jesus Javier Gonzalez Fernandez, and such an international coaching signature often brings an emphasis on discipline, defensive details, and prepared endgame variants. Precisely because of roster breadth and clear roles, Poland in high-pressure matches can rely on “safe percentages” from the wings and toughness on the line, which in Kristianstad can be decisive if the match breaks in the last ten minutes.

What Poland most often looks for through defense and transition

When Poland finds its rhythm, the key is often how early it establishes contact in defense and how quickly it turns a steal or a saved shot into an easy goal, because that relieves the positional attack and reduces the number of “long” attacking sequences. In such an approach, wings gain extra value, because they are not only the finish of the fast break but also pressure on the opponent’s return, and players like Daszek and Moryto naturally come to the fore. On the line, a fight for space and forcing exclusions is expected, and Poland has several players who can withstand physical contact and at the same time remain mobile enough to open a line for shooters. In the backcourt line, Poland can vary height and strength, so against Italy it can look for shots over the block, but also faster ball circulation if the Italians decide to defend more aggressively on the ball. A special detail visible on the official roster is a note about player Dawyd Dawydzik with an appearance limitation until 17.01.2026., which is a tournament context that can affect rotation in the early rounds and the distribution of minutes on the line. All of that increases the importance of the third round: by then rotations have already been “read,” and coaches know whom they trust in the finish, so every ticket also carries the promise of top-level tactical sparring. If you want to be part of an atmosphere where every contact and every save can be heard, buying tickets in time makes sense because of the arena’s acoustics itself, not only because of the result-driven charge.

Italy: a project built through qualifiers and bringing a return to the big stage

Italy arrives in Kristianstad with a story that took on very concrete contours in qualification, because the path to the final tournament ran through a group with strong opponents and a series of matches that showed it is no longer just an outsider “seeking experience.” In the qualifying group, Italy finished with six points, along with a positive impression in duels against the top, which raised expectations around its championship performance both communicationally and competitively. On the competition’s historical page, a sequence of qualification results is clearly visible, including wins against Serbia and Latvia and heavy, but competitive matches against Spain, which confirms that Italy can play “on a knife’s edge” and in endings. Italy is led by Bob Hanning, and the very fact that the bench has a coach with international experience is often recognizable in the details, from discipline in retreat to clear attacking patterns. On the official player list, profiles coming from different leagues and systems can be seen, giving the national team breadth in solutions, especially in the backcourt line and in goal. In such a framework, the third-round match against Poland can be an ideal opportunity for Italy to confirm that it is “awkward” even against national teams that traditionally have a larger base and a deeper bench, and that in itself creates additional ticket demand because fans want to see whether that trend can continue.
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Names that carry the Italian game and where they look for an edge

On the Italian list, Andrea Parisini stands out in particular, a player with a large number of international appearances and goals, who as a rule takes responsibility in moments when the attack stalls and when a solution must be found through a duel or an outside shot. Alongside him is Domenico Ebner in goal, a goalkeeper profile that brings calm and experience, and in a tournament format can “steal” a match with several saves in a row, which often lifts the whole team. Italy’s backcourt line has an interesting European distribution of clubs, so the list includes players like Leo Prantner and Simone Mengon, whose names suggest presence in strong environments and a habit of playing matches under pressure. Particularly interesting is also Mikael Helmersson, which shows how Italy uses a broader circle of players and different handball schools, and such a combination can be awkward for an opponent that relies on “reading” standard patterns. From the wing come solutions like Nicoloa D’Antino, and in the rotation there are also players who can bring a change of tempo, either through a quicker push into the fast break, or through off-ball cuts into the space between two defenders. In the team’s official presentation it is emphasized that Italy in qualification did not merely match favored opponents but also took big points, so the duel with Poland in Kristianstad becomes a test of character as much as a test of quality. That is why buying tickets for this event is often experienced as an investment in a match that can offer both emotion and quality, because different handball cultures and different phases of a “project” of one national team collide on the court.

Head-to-head: memories that raise the stake and the pace of the story

Head-to-head duels between Poland and Italy in recent years offer enough material to understand why this pairing carries a special charge, even when it is not a classic “rivalry” lasting decades. Available match overviews state that Poland beat Italy in April 2023 by 31:29, while in October 2022 it was convincing with 30:23, which leaves Italy with a clear motivation to show progress compared to those matches. Such results often stay in players’ heads, not as a burden but as a reference: where balls were lost, how the entry to the line was defended, who “opened” space for the wing, and how stable the defense was in the finish. From that perspective, Poland can enter with a sense that it knows how to “lock” Italy’s key points, but a tournament match in Kristianstad is different because the pressure is higher and the margin for error smaller. Italy, on the other hand, arrives with the ambition to show it is no longer a national team that drops when the match breaks into duels and when the number of exclusions increases. For the audience, that means potentially a very fierce 60 minutes, and precisely such matches in Kristianstad Arena quickly “pull” the ticket market upward, because fans want to be part of an atmosphere where every goal changes the table. If you follow handball for intensity and tactical adjustments minute by minute, this is a match for which it makes sense to secure tickets in time while they are still available through ticket sales.

Kristianstad Arena: an intimate venue that amplifies the match experience

Kristianstad Arena is located in the city center, and the location itself makes it easier to experience the match as a “city event,” because before and after the game the crowd naturally flows through central streets and surrounding areas. In its official information, the arena presents itself as a modern multi-arena with great flexibility, an overall area that allows different configurations, and with spectators who in the handball setup are very close to the court, so every save and every contact is felt. Capacity in official descriptions for handball is stated at around 4,500 spectators, while in some individual match reports a “hall cap” of 4,800 is also mentioned, which in practice speaks of a venue that is not huge, but is ideal for creating a loud, compact atmosphere. In such a space, ticket sales often move faster than in large arenas, because the number of seats is limited and demand rises as match day approaches and as the group table is “read.” Added value is infrastructure: restaurants, kiosks, VIP boxes, and amenities are mentioned that raise viewing comfort, which makes a difference for those who want to experience a whole day in Kristianstad, not just 60 minutes on the court. Nor should the fact be overlooked that Kristianstad is traditionally a handball environment, so the arena has a habit of “living” with the game, and that is felt at major tournaments through the rhythm of chanting and reactions to saves and seven-meter throws. Tickets for this match can disappear quickly, so buy tickets in time via the button labeled
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 and plan to arrive earlier, because in such an ambience the most beautiful part of the experience often already happens during warm-up and in the first minutes of the match.

Kristianstad as a backdrop: a city that knows how to organize a sports day

As a host, Kristianstad is positioned so that the arena is relatively close to key arrival points, which is practical both for local fans and for guests coming from other cities or countries. In the official description of the city and the arena, it is stated that Kristianstad Arena is about 1.5 kilometers from the railway station and about 500 meters from the nearest bus station, which means it can be reached on foot without special logistical complications, with minimal reliance on additional transport. It is also stated that the distance from Kristianstad Airport to the arena is approximately 15 kilometers, which is useful information for those planning to arrive by air and then combine transport toward the center. Such geography creates a typical “tournament day” in which fans can arrive earlier, walk through the city, feel the atmosphere, and then shift to the arena without stress. When you add the fact that multiple matches are played in Kristianstad on the same day, the crowd often stays in the city longer, so ticket demand behaves in waves: some fans buy tickets in advance, and some react after the first results, and then the market feels a sudden jump in interest. In that context, Poland and Italy have an additional “story” because they come from different handball traditions, and neutral crowds often like to follow precisely such clashes of styles. For visitors, that means a ticket is not only entry into the arena but also entry into a city sports day, with an atmosphere that builds for hours before kickoff.

Practical information for visitors and planning your arrival

For everyone considering coming to Kristianstad Arena, the key is simple: plan movement around the center, arrive earlier, and count on the arena filling gradually as kickoff approaches, especially when it is the third round of the group, which often carries result-driven tension. The arena is located at Västra Storgatan 69, Kristianstad, and that central location makes it easier to do part of the trip on foot, especially for those arriving by train or bus, because distances are described in official information as relatively short. Given that this is a major tournament event, it is reasonable to expect increased traffic toward the arena in the hours before the match, so the recommendation is to arrive at least 60 to 90 minutes earlier to avoid crowds at the entrances and to “catch” the warm-up atmosphere. The arena’s official description mentions that there are enough parking spaces in the immediate vicinity, but on match day it is smart to count on higher occupancy and the possibility of a short walk to the entrance. Inside the arena, catering and accompanying amenities are available, so arriving earlier often turns into pleasant waiting with fan buzz, instead of a nervous last-minute entry. Buy tickets via the button labeled
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below and align your arrival with the exact start time, because the schedule is tied to local Central European time, and the difference compared to some listings can also be expressed through a UTC label.

What to look for on the court: tempo, seven-meters, and the wing duel

Matches like Poland vs Italy at a major tournament are often decided on three levels: who controls the tempo, who uses seven-meter throws better, and who wins the wing duel—i.e., who scores “easy” fast-break goals when the opponent tires. Poland has wings with major international output and a habit of punishing every bad substitution, while Italy has a backcourt line that can look for solutions through different shooting profiles and through two-on-two plays, especially when space opens along the line. It is particularly interesting to watch how Italy will respond to Poland’s physical play on the line, because that is where the number of exclusions often breaks, and with it the chance for a scoring run in a period with a player advantage. On the other hand, Italy will likely try to pull Polish backs out of their comfort zone, speed up ball flow, and force the defense into late switches, because in such situations clean positions for a shot or an entry to the line open up. Goalkeepers have a special part of the story: in a tournament round, one “crazy” series of saves can change the entire table, and the crowd in Kristianstad knows how to reward such moments with noise that further destabilizes the opposing attack. That is exactly why tickets for this event carry extra weight, because you are watching a match where tactical details are clearly seen and heard, and emotion transfers from every save to the next attack. If you like handball where every mistake is paid dearly, this match has all the prerequisites to be tense from the first to the last minute.

Why this is a match to plan for in advance

The third round in Group F often brings situations in which teams can no longer “hide” weaknesses, because they have already played two matches, used up part of the rotation, and shown what they have in endgame combinations, so opponent preparation can be done very concretely. Poland arrives with the reputation of a national team that knows how to play tough and pragmatically, with a clear goal of imposing tempo through defense and toughness on the line, while Italy brings a story of growth and confidence from qualification, with a coach and players accustomed to serious competitive systems. Kristianstad Arena as a location further increases the value of coming, because the crowd sits close, the venue “responds” to every save, and limited capacity in the handball setup means good seats are not left to the last moment. For a neutral spectator, this is a match in which you can see both Poland’s classic discipline and Italy’s more modern, more varied attempt to create an edge through outside shooting and faster ball circulation. That very uncertainty usually raises demand, so tickets are often bought as soon as the audience assesses that this duel could decide qualification or points carry-over. Secure your tickets in time and click the button labeled
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, because as match day approaches and the table gains concrete tension, ticket sales can accelerate, and Kristianstad is the kind of city where a big handball night is felt already on the street. Whoever wants to experience the full intensity of the tournament naturally puts this Poland vs Italy duel in Kristianstad high on the list of events that are not skipped.

Sources:
- ehfeuro.eurohandball.com and history.eurohandball.com, Group F match schedule and details of the Poland vs Italy match and timings of other matches (preliminary round)
- statistics.eurohandball.com, match report with venue and time and arena capacity in the report template
- activities.eurohandball.com, official player and staff rosters for Poland and Italy
- ehfeuro.eurohandball.com, qualification standings and description of Italy ahead of the tournament
- kristianstadarena.se and ehfeuro.eurohandball.com, official information about Kristianstad Arena, location and capacity, and host-city data on distances to stations and the airport

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3 hours ago, Author: Sports desk

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