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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. 18:00h
Ukraine vs France
Unity Arena, Fornebu, NO
2026
17
January
Photo by: Domagoj Skledar/ arhiva (vlastita)

Tickets for Ukraine vs France, EHF EURO 2026 handball clash at Unity Arena Fornebu, Norway, 17 January 2026

Looking for tickets for the Ukraine vs France handball clash at EHF EURO 2026? Here you can easily plan your ticket purchase, choose great seats in Unity Arena Fornebu and secure a live experience filled with top-class action, noise from the stands and an unforgettable evening in Norway. Make it the highlight of your trip

Handball Spectacle in Fornebu: Ukraine Challenges European Champion France

Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 18:00, Unity Arena in Fornebu transforms into one of the centers of European handball, when Ukraine and France meet as part of the European Handball Championship 2026. It is a group stage match that looks on paper like a clash between favorites and underdogs, but in a tournament format like the EHF EURO, every minute and every goal can decide the path to the knockout phase. France comes to the championship as the reigning European champion and the most decorated national team of modern handball, while Ukraine performs with a great emotional charge and a clear goal to show that it belongs to the elite. Precisely for this reason, the interest of fans grows day by day, and tickets for this event are increasingly sought after, because fans want to be part of an evening in which new handball history could be written. Whoever wants to secure their place in the arena and experience the duel between Ukraine and France live should think about buying tickets in time, because it is expected that the atmosphere in Unity Arena will be close to the upper capacity limit and that ticket sales will proceed at an accelerated pace as the meeting approaches.

European Championship 2026 and the Significance of the Match in Unity Arena

EHF EURO 2026 is a special edition of the continental gathering, because it is a tournament jointly organized by Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, and matches are played in Herning, Malmö, Kristianstad, and in the Oslo area, specifically Bærum, where Unity Arena in Fornebu is located. In that arena, preliminary group matches will be played, from January 15 to 20, 2026, so the match between Ukraine and France comes in a period when the tournament energy is at its peak, and fans are still discovering the form of all participants. Although it is a match in the early part of the competition, points from such matches often decide who will go to the main round with carried-over points, and who will end the competition already after the group phase. This means that both coaches, despite the tight schedule, will have to field their strongest lineups and tactically outplay each other for a full 60 minutes, which further raises the importance of this match for the audience planning to purchase tickets for this event. Many fans will choose exactly such matches, in which the defender of the European throne plays, as the central points of their handball journey and combine them with other duels and accommodation in the Oslo and Bærum area, in order to make the most of the days spent at the championship.

France – Handball Superpower and Reigning European Champion

The French men's handball national team has been setting standards in world handball for decades, with an impressive collection of trophies that includes six world champion titles and multiple Olympic and European golds. Having won the European crown in 2024, "Les Bleus" showed that, despite the generational change and departures of legends like Nikola and Luka Karabatic, they still remain a top machine capable of beating anyone. In the meantime, at major competitions, including the 2025 World Championship, they continued to win medals and remain at the very top, which further confirms the continuity of their quality and depth of the squad. Under the leadership of coach Guillaume Gille, who as a player already won the EHF EURO, France builds its game on a steel defense, great goalkeepers, and a devastating transition attack in which Dika Mem, Ludovic Fabregas, and the rest of the star roster punish every mistake of the opponent. Because of such a reputation, fans from all over Europe want to see the reigning European champions live, so it is not surprising that tickets for France's matches at EHF EURO 2026 are considered one of the most desirable handball "trophies" for all true sports lovers.

Ukraine on the Rise: A National Team Returning to the Big Stage

The Ukrainian handball national team may not have an equally glamorous trophy cabinet as France, but its history on the European and world stage is not without significant moments, including seventh place at the 2001 World Championship and placement among the top twelve at the 2002 European Championship. After a period in which it was often absent from the biggest competitions, Ukraine has been returning to focus in recent years thanks to persistent work, a talented generation, and a difficult but successful path through the qualifications for EHF EURO 2026. Victories like the one against the Faroe Islands in the qualifications showed that the team can withstand pressure in key matches and is not afraid to take the initiative when placement among the elite is decided. A special emotional context is also provided by the fact that many players come from clubs operating in extremely demanding circumstances, which further unites fans in the homeland and diaspora around the national team. Because of this, the match against France in Unity Arena will be much more than a sporting event for Ukrainian fans, and tickets for this duel become a way to show support for a national team that symbolizes the strength and resilience of the entire country.

Clash of Styles: Tactical Duel of Ukraine and France

On the court, a distinct clash of handball philosophies is expected: France traditionally builds its game on a strong 6–0 defense, a dominant line player, and explosive backs who quickly open space for counterattacks, while Ukraine often resorts to a combination of aggressive defense and long-range shots from the backs. The French have the luxury of rotating multiple top goalkeepers and an entire lineup of backs who can take responsibility in key moments, making them extremely dangerous in the final stages of matches, while Ukraine, with a somewhat narrower squad, must carefully distribute strength throughout the entire meeting. In such a context, details like the speed of returning to defense, the quality of play with a player more or less, and the precision of seven-meter throws can determine whether the audience in Unity Arena will watch an uncertain finish or another demonstration of French dominance. Precisely for this reason, to fans considering buying tickets, this match represents an attractive tactical puzzle: some will come to see how the European champion handles the pressure of the role, while others will cheer for Ukraine to surprise and exploit every moment of the favorite's inattention. Watching such a duel live, instead of in front of the TV, means literally feeling the changes in rhythm and energy on the floor, which further encourages fans to secure their tickets in time.

Key Players and Possible Stars of the Evening

The French national team at EHF EURO 2026 will almost certainly rely on a core of players who have already proven they can carry the toughest matches – from the powerful line player Ludovic Fabregas, through the devastating right back Dika Mem, to new faces who affirmed themselves at the 2025 World Championship and took responsibility after the farewell of part of the older generation. Their combination of experience from the biggest European clubs and confidence gained by winning medals makes them one of the most attractive squads to watch live, especially in the ambiance of a large arena like Unity Arena. Ukraine, on the other hand, has recognizable names at its disposal like goalkeepers Anton Terekhov and Gennadiy Komok, winger Dmytro Artemenko, or players of Motor Zaporizhzhia who gain valuable experience against top European opponents in club competitions. Precisely the clash of Ukrainian goalkeepers and French shooters could be one of the main stories of the match, because several big saves can ignite the fans and completely change the course of the game. For spectators in the arena, this means an opportunity to see from close range how the biggest stars react when the arena fills up, and tickets for this event become a kind of "pass" for an evening in which new heroes can emerge from the shadows.

Unity Arena in Fornebu – A Modern Stage for the Handball Elite

Unity Arena, located at John Strandruds Vei 16 in Fornebu, is a modern multi-purpose arena that has in a short time become one of the key places for major sports and entertainment events in Norway. The arena was built as a versatile space that can be adapted for handball, concerts, and other spectacles, with a capacity that reaches more than ten thousand spectators for sports events, with excellent visibility of the court and advanced LED screens that follow every detail of the match. Located just a few kilometers west of the center of Oslo and well connected by public transport, Unity Arena offers fans a combination of easy arrival and an impressive interior with catering facilities, a fan zone, and modern infrastructure. Since the arena already has experience organizing major international handball tournaments, organizational standards, security, and accompanying facilities will be at a high level, which further increases the attractiveness of buying tickets for the Ukraine – France match. In such an environment, ticket sales logically gain momentum, because fans come not only for the handball but also for the overall experience offered by the modern sports center by the Oslofjord.

Fornebu and Bærum: From Old Airport to Modern Settlement by the Oslofjord

The Fornebu area has an interesting story: once on that peninsula was the main airport for Oslo, which was closed in the late 1990s, and the space was then transformed into a modern business and residential area with an emphasis on sustainable development and green technologies. Today Fornebu, which administratively belongs to the municipality of Bærum, represents a combination of business campuses, residential zones, and recreational areas right by the coast of the Oslofjord, only seven to ten kilometers from the center of the Norwegian capital. Bærum is otherwise one of the most developed and affluent municipalities in Norway, with a high quality of life, good public transport, and a rich offer of cultural and sports activities, making it an ideal host for such an international event. For fans, this means that they can fit the Ukraine – France match into a weekend trip that includes walks by the fjord, visits to Oslo, and enjoying Scandinavian gastronomy, which further justifies the decision to buy tickets and plan the trip. To make the experience complete, many fans will book accommodation near the venue in time, combining practicality with the possibility to return to their rooms without haste after the match and continue socializing.

Getting to Unity Arena and Tips for Fans

Unity Arena is excellently connected by road and public transport with Oslo and the surrounding area, so fans coming from the city center can count on organized bus lines and shuttle transport, often departing from locations like main transport hubs and stations like Lysaker. The journey to Fornebu usually takes ten to fifteen minutes, depending on the route and traffic, which allows fans to start the day sightseeing in Oslo, and then head towards the arena in the afternoon hours. Considering that the match is played in January, one should count on cold and potentially snowy weather, so it is recommended to arrive earlier, in warm clothing and with enough time to pass security checks and find seats. Fans coming from other European cities will often plan arrival by plane to the main Oslo airport, and then descend by train and bus towards Bærum and Fornebu, so it is useful to study public transport connections in advance and coordinate them with the start time of the match. Precisely for this reason, it is recommended that ticket purchase and travel organization be done as early as possible, in order to avoid crowds, and so that the most passionate can calmly enter the arena and enjoy the fan atmosphere from the first to the last whistle.

Accommodation and Planning the Stay in Oslo and Surroundings

For many fans, the match between Ukraine and France will be only the central point of a weekend stay in Norway, so planning accommodation plays equally as important a role as the timely purchase of tickets. The area of Oslo and Bærum offers a wide range of possibilities – from hotels in the very center of the city, where you are close to museums, cultural attractions, and restaurants, to quieter options closer to Fornebu, which allow faster arrival to Unity Arena on the day of the match. Considering that EHF EURO 2026 attracts fans from all over Europe, it is expected that capacities on the days of the most attractive matches will be under pressure, so it is recommended to look at accommodation offers in the host city in advance and reserve rooms before prices rise. Whoever decides to stay a few days can combine handball with sightseeing in Oslo, a boat ride on the fjord, or a trip to the surrounding hills, which gives the entire trip additional value. With a good stay plan, tickets for this event become just one, but a key part of a broader travel experience in which top sports, travel, and getting to know Norway come together.

Ticket Sales, Fan Interest, and Atmosphere in the Arena

As January 17, 2026 approaches, fan interest for the Ukraine – France match in Unity Arena naturally grows, especially because it is a meeting of the current European champion and a national team coming with a story about returning to the big stage. Ticket sales for such duels usually accelerate immediately after it becomes clear which national teams are in the same group and how the form of the favorites moves in preparatory tournaments and friendly matches. Fans of France are known for loud and colorful support, with drums, flags, and songs that create pressure on the opponent, while Ukrainian fans will certainly bring an emotional dimension and a strong sense of togetherness, which will further enhance the ambiance in the arena. In such an atmosphere, every filled seat in the stands contributes to the overall impression, so it is logical that fans are recommended to secure their tickets in time and avoid disappointment due to sold-out sectors. It also makes sense to use the fact that multiple top matches will be played in Unity Arena in the same tournament window and consider buying tickets for multiple meetings, in order to turn the stay in Fornebu and Oslo into a real little handball festival.

Live Match Experience: From Fan Songs to the Final Whistle

Watching a match of this significance live in an arena like Unity Arena is much more than an ordinary sports-television experience – it is an evening-long event in which fans participate from the moment they step into the fan zone in front of the arena, all the way to the exit after the final whistle. Already upon entering the arena, the audience is greeted by light effects, music, and announcements that create excitement, while the stands slowly fill with fans in the colors of Ukraine and France. The course of the match itself, with exchanges of scoring series, goalkeeper saves, and tactical adjustments, is experienced much more intensely in the arena than in front of a screen, because every successful move immediately turns into a wave of noise that puts additional pressure on the players on the floor. In the breaks, it is time for refreshment, socializing, and photos, and after the match, many fans will extend the evening in Oslo or surrounding places, which is why it is practical to consider accommodation for fans on the match day in advance. All this reinforces the logic that ticket sales should be understood as the first and most important step – the one that opens the door to the full experience of one of the most interesting group stage matches of the European Handball Championship 2026.

What This Match Means for Ukraine, France, and Fans

For France, the duel against Ukraine in Unity Arena represents a key part of the plan to defend the European title, because every championship start requires quick adaptation to tournament conditions, the arena, and the rhythm of playing every two days. An early victory against a motivated, but on paper weaker opponent instills confidence and allows the coach to rotate the squad, while a possible slip-up would immediately open the question of pressure and the need to chase points in the following matches. To Ukraine, this meeting offers an opportunity for a sensation that would resonate throughout the championship and further raise the morale of the team and fans, even if later matches in the group were against rivals of similar or greater quality. For neutral fans, this is an ideal opportunity to see in action in one place both a top, trophy-winning machine like France and a brave, ambitious national team that has nothing to lose and which will, with the loud support of its fans, leave its heart on the court. Precisely for this reason, this match, in combination with the modern environment of Unity Arena and the attractive surroundings of Fornebu and Oslo, is a perfect opportunity to ensure a place in a story that could be retold among handball lovers for a long time by buying tickets and planning the trip.

Sources:
- EHF EURO 2026: information about hosts, dates, and group distribution and the role of Unity Arena in Bærum
- Data on Unity Arena in Fornebu: capacity, address, history, and role in international handball competitions
- Statistics and history of the French handball national team: World, Olympic, and European titles and current status of European champion
- Statistics and history of the Ukrainian handball national team: best placements, qualifications for EHF EURO 2026, and key players in the current squad
- Information about Fornebu and Bærum: development of the former airport into a modern urban area and geographical and transport context in relation to Oslo

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2 hours ago, Author: Sports desk

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