Episode 322 - Champions League reviews with Danijela Vekic, halftime in the men's playoffs, women's elite eight is set

Danijela Vekic joins us to discuss the latest action in Europe's top flight competitions. We're halfway through the men's playoffs, where we've already seen Sporting and GOG let big advantages slip from their grasp as all but one of the contests are delicately poised. The women's Champions League has been whittled down to eight contenders with a new face among the mix. In the round's headline clash, we wonder which curse is likelier to end - CSM Bucuresti's or Esbjerg's?

With the recent international week offering little in the way of drama, we filled our gossip cup with stories off the court in the past few days, including Simon Pytlick's revelations about the breakdown in trust with Flensburg, French coaches displeasure with a non-Frenchman taking over France's national team and Veszprem's players being told there will be consequences if they don't reach the club's lofty goals this season.

A social media post by Coach Jackie J launched the US women's team and their open tryout into the spotlight in January. We speak to national team player and former pro basketballer Katie Timmermann about the whirlwind start to 2026 and her path to a home Olympic Games. Aleksa Pavicevic joins us to break down the group phase of the Women's Champions League and the hard-fought play-offs to come, plus a quick check-in on the national team week with surprise results in the EURO qualifiers.

A recent report from Duncan Mackay suggested radical plans are being discussed for the future of the Olympic Games, where the likes of the sliding sports and Nordic combined could be dumped out of the Winter games, while handball and indoor volleyball could be among the sports shifted over from the Summer games. We speak to Associated Press journalist Eric Willemsen, who covers both winter sports and handball, about the reports, new IOC President Kirsty Coventry's "Fit for the Future" initiative, what impact a move like this would have and whether it's likely at all. For access to all our weekly Morning Club episodes, ad-free listening and more bonus content throughout the season, join us on patreon.com/handballhour

It took until the 21st round but German Bundesliga leaders Magdeburg have finally lost. Tim Dettmar joins us to discuss whether the loss to Kiel actually brings a sense of relief and whether the chasing pack has what it takes to catch up. We also look at the broader race for Europe with Lemgo and Gummersbach joining the big dogs and whether Andreas Palicka's move to Wetzlar will be enough to save them from relegation.

Men's EHF EURO 2026 - 2 February: Denmark complete the triple crown on home soil, final review and Alternative Awards with Nedzad Smajlagic  Denmark are champions of Europe for the first time in 14 years and they did it in style! We look back on the final day of action with the help of Nedzad Smajlagic, then we reminisce on the whole tournament the best way we know how - with our Alternative Awards, featuring classics such as the Swiss Army Knife and Adrian Sipos Award as well as some new categories

One of the most memorable main rounds in recent memory comes to an end with a classic showdown in one group and a proper slog in the other. We look back at the last couple of days, full of drama, some controversy and big moments, before looking ahead to two beautifully matched semi-finals. To enjoy our bonus episodes and ad-free listening throughout the championship and beyond, join us on patreon.com/handballhour

The big three in Main Round Group I took control in Herning on Saturday, does that group need another surprise or two to live up to the hype? Meanwhile, one point separates five teams in Group II ahead of some crucial showdowns. We speak to legendary playmaker Andy Schmid about his plunge into the cold water as Switzerland's head coach and to his rising star on the left wing, Noam Leopold, about their wild EURO campaign to date.

It's been 16 years since Iceland last made it through to the semi-finals of a major championship and there's plenty of belief that the wait could end this month. Following a perfect start to the championship, we check in with two men who were part of their 2008 Olympic silver and EURO 2010 bronze medal teams - goalkeeper Björgvin Páll Gustavsson and head coach Snorri Guðjónsson about their approach to the main round and dealing with both the honour and expectation that comes with representing this team. For bonus episodes and ad-free listening throughout the EHF EURO, join us on patreon.com/handballhour

The opening days of the championship have thrown up some mad days! We look back at Germany's 48-hour fluctuation from early elimination and disgrace to qualification with two points in hand, Faroe Islands' display of belonging and dominance, plus Switzerland's inexplicable collapse against Slovenia. We also hear from EHF commentator Alex Mair on the groups in Sweden and whether much-hyped Iceland are proving to be the real deal.