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Buy tickets for Ukraine vs France - Handball – European Handball Championship 2026 Buy tickets for Ukraine vs France - Handball – European Handball Championship 2026

Handball – European Handball Championship 2026 (GROUP C)
17. January 2026. 17:00h
Ukraine vs France
Unity Arena, Oslo, NO
2026
17
January
Photo by: Domagoj Skledar/ arhiva (vlastita)
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Tickets for Ukraine - France, 2nd Round of the 2026 European Handball Championship at Unity Arena, Oslo

Looking for tickets to Ukraine vs France at Unity Arena in Oslo? Check availability and buy tickets for the 2nd-round clash of the 2026 European Handball Championship. Feel the group-stage tension up close, follow every tactical switch, and lock in your seats early as the crowd builds around you today
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Announcement of the Ukraine vs France match

The Ukraine vs France match in the second round of the 2026 European Handball Championship brings a clash of ambition and reputation, but also a real fight for points that in groups often matter more than it seems at that moment. France arrives as a team that at major tournaments is used to playing under the pressure of being the favorite, while Ukraine comes to Oslo with a clear intention to confirm its place among the best and to turn every attack into a story about a return to the big stage. The match is played at Unity Arena in Oslo, at John Strandruds vei 16, which is an additional magnet for fans because hosting in Norway regularly brings a full arena and a loud atmosphere. Ticket sales for this event are already a topic among fans who want to experience great handball live, and interest rises especially as match day approaches. Tickets for this match are disappearing quickly, so buy your tickets in time and click the button labeled

when it becomes available.

What the second round in Group C brings

Group C in Oslo includes France, Norway, the Czech Republic, and Ukraine, and such a lineup from day one promises tight calculations because the two best teams advance and carry points forward, so every mistake leaves a mark in the next phase as well. The second round, in which Ukraine and France meet, comes after the first matches in the group, which means it will already be clearer then who is in competitive rhythm and who is still looking for the best starting seven and rotations. That is exactly why coaches in such matches often balance between the result and managing energy, but fans are most interested in a simple question: who will come out as the winner from a duel in which every goal can turn into a turning point. France is used to playing early and under the spotlight, while Ukraine must smartly pace its aggressiveness in defense so it doesn’t fall early into exclusion trouble. In such a framework, tickets have added value because the second round often gives the first real picture of the tournament, and the atmosphere in the arena can push a team over the line in moments when legs become heavy.
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In the competition itself, the group format emphasizes continuity, so it’s not enough to surprise just once; you need to stack stable performances, which especially suits teams with deep benches and a clear hierarchy in play. France in that sense enters with the status of a team that expects a fight for medals, but the schedule and a demanding group don’t allow a slow start, while Ukraine can build its story step by step, from defense, through fast breaks, to secure attacks in set play. A duel with France is often a test of discipline, because against such a team even small technical mistakes are punished, while at the same time opportunities open if you catch the right wave and force the favorite into a chase. If Ukraine manages to slow the tempo and force France into longer attacks, the match can take on a different tone than the one suggested by reputation, and that is the scenario the crowd loves most. That is why ticket sales emphasize that it is worth securing your tickets, because these duels are not only about points but also a great live experience in an arena that holds thousands of people.

France between the title and rebuilding

France comes to Oslo with a clear thesis: confirm the status of one of the strongest European national teams and show that a generational change can be managed without losing competitive sharpness. In recent years their story has not been only about trophies, but also about adapting to new roles, when some icons stepped aside and new leaders took responsibility on both sides of the game. At major tournaments France traditionally relies on a solid defense, high-speed transition, and discipline in attack, where every off-ball movement is planned with the goal of creating an advantage or drawing a 7-meter throw. At the same time, the pressure of being the favorite can be a double-edged sword, because every opponent plays with extra energy, aware that a win against France makes headlines and is remembered for years. That is why tickets for such matches are considered especially in demand, because the audience knows that watching France live most often means handball at the highest level, with quick substitutions and pronounced individual qualities.

The player list for this tournament shows that France still has depth, and leaders like Dika Mem and Elohim Prandi give a clear picture of the direction: a combination of power, shooting, and one-on-one play, along with tactical maturity in key moments. The return of Benoit Kounkoud after injury further broadens options in defense and on the wing, while changes due to health problems, including a replacement at the center back position, remind how sensitive the tournament format is and how the roster can change from day to day. France will likely look for an early tempo and lead to control energy, but Ukraine will try to keep the score level and wait for the moment when the match breaks on a single defense or a single series of goalkeeper saves. It is exactly in such details that the crowd feels why it is worth buying tickets, because every duel at nine meters and every block in defense sounds and looks more dramatic in the arena than on a screen. Secure your tickets right away and plan to arrive earlier, because in such time slots fan interest grows as kickoff approaches.
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Ukraine and the story of a return to the big stage

Ukraine enters this match with the identity of a team that relies on the collective, emotional energy, and a clear idea that against favorites you must not play with respect but with courage. Their selection for the tournament includes names such as Ihor Turchenko and Dmytro Artemenko, who already carried a large part of the load in qualification, so it is logical to expect that against France they will look for their runs both in attack and in defense. Ukraine generally looks best when it manages to connect aggressive defense with a quick push into the fast break, because that reduces the number of positional attacks against an organized French defense. At the same time, controlling exclusions will be crucial, because against a team that uses every gap in defense, playing a man down means playing on the edge of defeat. That is exactly why fans thinking about buying tickets often want to be in the arena when an underdog has a chance to overturn predictions, because such moments create an atmosphere that is remembered.

When talking about Ukraine on the European stage, it is important to note that such matches are part of a process, not just one result, because every game against a top opponent builds experience and confidence. In recent history Ukraine has already played against France at a major tournament, and such experiences remain in the locker room as a reminder of how quickly a match can get out of control if you don’t stop a French run of transition goals. On the other hand, that previous context gives additional motivation, because at big tournaments the biggest victory is often the one in which you see progress, stability in attack, and a calm head in the finish. Fans in Oslo, especially in an arena used to major events, know how to recognize the energy of a team that fights for every duel, so you can also expect support from neutral spectators who love the drama of sport. That is why tickets for this event are not just entry to the arena, but also an opportunity to feel live what competition looks like in which one good period can change everything.

Head-to-head and tactical nuances

The history of head-to-head meetings in modern handball is not huge, but there are enough traces to see a pattern: France has generally imposed speed and physical superiority, while Ukraine has looked for a way to turn the match into a patient battle attack by attack. One of the more notable examples is their meeting at the 2022 European Championship, when France won convincingly, and the difference was built primarily on easy goals after Ukrainian mistakes and on runs in which the opponent could not get back to defense in time. Ukraine will try to avoid such a scenario this time, which means that every return to defense, every stopped fast break, and every smart foul far from nine meters will be treated as a small success. France, on the other hand, will look for early pressure on the backcourt players and possible double-teaming on key shots, because that forces the opponent into improvisation and technical errors. For spectators in the arena this is the part of the story that is best seen live, so buying tickets brings the opportunity to follow small tactical shifts, changes in defensive formations, and the bench’s reactions after every run.
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Tactically, the most interesting question is whether France will insist more on its standard solid defense that closes the middle, or whether, depending on the rhythm, it will switch to more aggressive variants to speed up the match and get easy goals. Ukraine will aim to calm the game, look for longer attacks, stretch the defense with pivot and wing movement, and force France to finish every defensive sequence, because that reduces the number of French fast breaks. Goalkeepers will play a big role, because a few connected saves can completely change the energy in the arena, and Unity Arena is known for crowd noise rising precisely in moments when a turnaround is felt. France has the individual quality to make a difference in two attacks, but that is exactly why Ukraine must be careful with turnovers and with a pass into space that the opponent reads in advance. If the match goes into the finish with a small margin, France’s experience is an advantage, but the energy of the underdog and the crowd can be a factor that cannot be measured by statistics, and for such finishes tickets become the best investment in the experience.

Unity Arena as the stage for great handball

Unity Arena in Oslo, at John Strandruds vei 16, is located in the Fornebu area, not far from the city center, and with a capacity for sports events it accommodates about 15,000 spectators, which is enough to create the feeling of a big final even in the group stage. Such an arena especially suits handball because the crowd is close to the court and the sound stays under the roof, so every goal, every save, and every exclusion gains extra weight. For fans planning to come, ticket sales are the most important step because the best seats are taken the fastest, and then come details such as arriving earlier and planning entry to avoid crowds. In Norway, major sports events are also experienced as a city event, so around the arena days in advance you can feel more traffic of people, jerseys, and flags, especially when national teams that attract fans from multiple countries are playing. Buy tickets via the button below and secure your place in an arena where such matches are watched standing up, with lots of emotion and with the feeling that every attack is happening right in front of you.

The location in Fornebu adds another layer to the experience, because it is an area that is well connected and relies on public transport, and the recommendation from the organizer and the arena is to come to the match that way, to avoid traffic jams before and after the game. It is especially practical that Lysaker station is within a reasonable walking distance, about 15 to 20 minutes on foot, so fans can combine train, bus, and walking without the stress of parking. Those who still come by car should count on possible delays and use marked parking lots in the area, which is important to plan in advance, especially in winter conditions when the city’s rhythm changes. In the arena a complete experience is expected, from fan songs to quick team introduction ceremonies, and that is the part that is not fully transmitted on screen, but is felt only when you are in the crowd. Because of this, tickets for this event are often bought as a gift or as part of a travel plan, because the Ukraine vs France match offers both sport and atmosphere in one of the most impressive indoor arenas in the region.
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Arrival, entry, and tips for fans

The best advice for everyone coming to the match is to plan to arrive earlier, because large arenas have their entry waves, and lines form fastest right before the start. Public transport to Lysaker station and then a walk to the arena is often the calmest option, especially when higher interest is expected and when traffic in Fornebu can slow down due to the influx of fans. If you are coming by bus, it is good to check schedules on match day and have an alternative, because during major events some stops can be temporarily closed or redirected. People who need accessible seating and special assistance should plan their seating in the arena and their arrival in advance, so everything goes smoothly without rushing and unnecessary stress. Ticket sales are available, so secure your tickets in time and click the

button as soon as it becomes active, because the best experience is when you enter the arena calmly, with your ticket already ready and without last-minute panic.

In practice, the fan experience starts even before the first whistle, because groups of fans gather around the arena, take photos, coordinate, and create an atmosphere that later moves into the stands. In the winter term in Norway it is important to dress in layers, because part of the time is spent outside during arrival and entry, and then inside the arena where it is warmer, so the difference is felt especially if you arrive at the last moment. It’s a good idea to agree on a meeting point with your group in advance, because big arenas and their surroundings are dynamic, and mobile signal can be overloaded when a large number of people gather at the same time. For those coming from outside Oslo, Fornebu is close enough that the trip can be combined with a short city visit, but the focus of most fans will remain on the match and on taking their seats before team introductions. In such organization, tickets become a key part of the plan, so buying tickets in advance is not only a matter of price, but also a matter of comfort and a better schedule for the entire day.
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What to watch on the court when the fight for points begins

When the match starts, one of the first signs of which direction the game is going will be the ratio of turnovers to fast-break conversion, because France often builds an early gap precisely on that, while Ukraine must play with minimal risk in passing. The second important point is the line duel, where you can see how much Ukraine can keep France away from ideal positions, because every push of a shooter toward the edge reduces conversion percentage and opens space for goalkeeper saves that lift the crowd. Third, pay attention to rotations and the minutes of key players, because the tournament rhythm forces coaches to think about the next match, but the second round is early enough that you still play at full intensity when it feels that points can be decisive. Fourth, every run of two or three goals in a row in such an arena sounds like ten, and that can affect composure in attack, especially for the team chasing the score. If you want to feel all of that firsthand, don’t wait until the last moment, secure your tickets and click the

button, because the Ukraine vs France match has all the prerequisites to become one of those remembered for pace, emotion, and a loud Unity Arena.

Sources:
- ehfeuro.eurohandball.com - publication of the schedule and the list of groups and venues for the 2026 European Handball Championship.
- ehfeuro.eurohandball.com - news about the final player lists of national teams, including France and Ukraine in Group C.
- unityarena.no - event page with practical information about transport, parking, and planning a visit.
- unityarena.no - frequently asked questions confirming the address John Strandruds vei 16, 1360 Fornebu and the recommendation to arrive by public transport.
- 24sata.hr - overview of hosting, cities, and basic information about the competition and the group schedule.
- tntsports.co.uk - archive of the France vs Ukraine match at the 2022 European Championship with the result and basic statistics.
- lemonde.fr - context of France’s performance at the 2025 World Championship and a description of the generational transition phase in the national team.
- visitnorway.com and visitoslo.com - description of the Unity Arena location in Fornebu and the capacity for sports events.

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4 hours ago, Author: Sports desk

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