Executive Committee (EXEC)

The Executive Committee is mandated by the Congress to act as the overseer of the activities of the European Handball Federation. It is also assigned responsibilities that include convening working groups and committees for special matters. In the final phases of the current four-year mandate, the members can celebrate one of the most significant milestones in the history of the EHF: the tender process to cover the areas of media and marketing, and the subsequent signing of a multi-layered agreement with Infront and DAZN spanning the years 2020 to 2030, which was successfully inaugurated on 1 July 2020.

The needs of the member federations remain at core of any action taken by the EHF and it is by gathering our representatives that the EHF can define targeted strategies. In 2020, the EHF held four very important meetings: the 15th Conference of Presidents, the 13th Extraordinary EHF Congress, the 12th Conference for Secretaries General and the 1st European Handball Convention. The demands of 2020 added a layer of urgency to the already dense executive agenda and resulted in additional meetings and numerous circular decisions in the periods between meetings. The actions of the Executive Committee ensured not only that the team at the EHF office in Vienna could traverse the unexpected terrain but sent a clear message to the member federations that the EHF were stable and supportive.

In the coming year, the European Handball Federation will continue to work in close cooperation with the member federations, as well as the internal and external partners and stakeholders.

Finance Delegation

The Finance Delegation, introduced by the Executive Committee, was designed to evaluate all significant monetary transactions by the EHF. This year, the group convened on multiple occasions to assess the financial implications of the ongoing pandemic; it was the Finance Delegation that gauged the economic needs of the member federations, which resulted in the expedited distribution of funds.

In 2020, the European Handball Federation and the Finance Delegation bade farewell to Chief Finance Officer Andrea Moser following a stellar 20-year career and, in a seamless transition, welcomed CFO Bernhard Binder as her successor. Looking at the bigger picture, all the expected financial activities such as budget preparation are ongoing with the approach of the 15th Ordinary EHF Congress in spring 2021, where a financial report will be presented.

The Finance Delegation receives information prepared and provided by the finance department, headed by EHF Chief Finance Officer. This financial health summary, in addition to any pertinent recommendations, is then presented to the Executive Committee on a quarterly basis.

Technical Delegation

The Technical Delegation, introduced by the Executive Committee, consists of the serving Chairmen of the Competitions, Methods and Beach Handball Commissions. Supported by the responsible office staff, they assemble prior to the quarterly individual Commission sessions in order to coordinate topics of common interest. Focal points of the 2020 activities were the various educational activities for EHF coaches, referees and delegates; the elevation of eLearning; and comprehensive analysis of match data supplied by KINEXON.

Competitions Commission (CC)

In 2010, when the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull erupted and led to widespread air travel disruption across Europe, the Competitions Commission, together with the competitions department in Vienna, faced a tremendous uphill battle to keep the sport on course with its planned trajectory over the course of four uncertain months. A decade later, the sombre consequences of the global Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent impact it had and continues to have on the world of sport at times seemed insurmountable and acquiescence was the only option. Once again, the Competitions Commission and the team in the office in Vienna merged years of experience to forge an alternative path for handball.

From the feasibility study on indoor handball, situation analyses and stakeholder inputs to the various adaptations of strategies when the pandemic delivered new obstacles, the Competitions Commission played a pivotal role in bringing handball back to the court after an involuntary hiatus. Parallel to this, based on the recommendations of the Competitions Commission, and with the support of the stakeholders, the EHF was able to launch the European League with the advent of the 2020/21 club handball season.

Technical Referee Committee (TRC)

Based on the changes to the officials’ structure, the Technical Referee Committee (TRC), installed by the Executive Committee, effected a comprehensive performance analysis of referees and delegates with preparation via virtual sessions and during the competition through the application of the instant replay system. Overall, the changes were well received. The structure will be amended further based on the input obtained and, in fact, was already introduced in the preparatory activities for the Women’s EHF EURO 2020.

Methods Commission (MC)

Continuing with other activities, the Methods Commission prolonged development projects with four national federations and initiated Israel and Russia into their first SMART programmes. On the level of education, with the first module of the 2020 EHF Master Coach course completed in January, the second was conducted virtually, and the third module is scheduled for February 2021. Moreover, the first ‘European Handball Online Summit: Focus Grassroots’ was held in October 2020; this event gave unfettered access to all of the EHF member federations. Following the recommendation of the Methods Commission, the ‘RINCK Convention Panel’ was integrated into the MC structure and the first meeting was held. In 2021, the panel will focus all topics concerning licensing as well as increasing support for signatory and non-signatory members.

In 2020, the Methods Commission (MC) placed great emphasis on the development of wheelchair handball. Not only did this result in the Executive Committee decision that referees and delegates officiating the matches would have their own status, but the ongoing cooperation with the International Handball Federation within the IHF Wheelchair Handball Working Group saw the ratification of all competition guidelines and other documents. Due to the pandemic, and in view of attaining Paralympic status in the future, the inaugural IHF/EHF Wheelchair Handball Championship was postponed until 2021.

Beach Handball Commission (BC)

As the competitive events were cancelled or postponed due to the pandemic, the Beach Handball Commission (BC) accelerated their off-court activities. A key element to moving forward with the vision of taking beach handball from a recreational sport to a top discipline was the approval by the Executive Committee of the long-term strategic plan formulated by the BC members. The efforts were also supported by the introduction of the ‘EHF Beach Handball Forum’, where specific topics are discussed with experts from across Europe in the scope of a monthly online meeting. In keeping with the aim of having highly trained officials, the BC enhanced online testing and eLearning procedures with the addition of new teaching material.

The reshaping of beach handball, as it edges closer to being on par with indoor handball, sees the BC working on comprehensive transfer and licensing procedures that will come into effect with the 2022 handball cycle. Moreover, the intense work on the level of the Commission has focused on improving TV coverage and event production; this will also see the extensive use of goal-line and instant-replay technology at the 2021 EHF Beach Handball EURO in Varna, Bulgaria. Additionally, beach handball was included on the preliminary list of sport disciplines for the 2023 edition of the European Games in Krakow, Poland, and an agreement was signed upon confirmation of the Executive Committee.

Comptrollers (COMPT)

The Comptrollers and the Comptrollers’ Council are the custodians of the fiscal probity of the European Handball Federation and its affiliate, EHF Marketing. The elected officials executed their duties by examining all financial records pertaining to the 2019 EHF accounts and the 2019/20 EHFM business year. The work of the Comptrollers and the Comptrollers Council was underpinned by the external audits conducted in 2020. In accordance with the EHF Statutes, the outcome of the inspections is to be delivered to the Executive Committee for ratification prior to being presented before the member federations at the 15th Ordinary EHF Congress in Luxembourg in 2021. Accordingly, the results of the 2019/20 EHFM business year were delivered to the General Assembly of EHF Marketing GmbH in November 2020. The reviews of the EHF and EHFM financial activities were undertaken with the full cooperation of the EHF finance department.

Court of Handball (COH)

Four positions will become vacant at the end of the current electoral period. Following the loss of Henk Lenaerts (†05.01.2020), a position of Vice President is open to a new candidate. Also, having reached the age limit, President Antoniou will step down from his position after serving one term in this function. On the level of daily business, the Court of Handball (CoH) handled 27 cases during the 2019/20 season, which ended prematurely due to the pandemic. Judgement was rendered in matters of regulation breaches, transfer matters, unsportsmanlike conduct and doping infringements, among other things. During the Men’s EHF EURO 2020, the CoH acted as an on-site body that decided 32 violations that centred mainly around clothing and direct disqualification. The body continues to handle cases in a proficient and expeditious way, once again proven by the small number of cases taken to the second instance.

Court of Appeal (COA)

Three cases were submitted to the Court of Appeal for adjudication during the 2019/20 season: international release, which was partly granted, a withdrawal from competition that was found in favour of the plaintiff and one case of unsportsmanlike conduct that was rejected in its entirety. While acting as an on-site body during the Men’s EHF EURO 2020, zero cases were elevated to the second instance. For three consecutive years, the low number of appeals handled confirms the proper functioning of the EHF first instance and indicates the acceptance of necessary sanctions for violations and infringements of the written regulations by the parties.

Initiator of Proceedings (IOP)

The Initiator of Proceedings shall be responsible for ensuring a fair balance in all legal proceedings conducted within the EHF. This shall be done specifically by instituting legal proceedings and/or initiating their institution. In addition, the Initiator of Proceedings has the right to appeal against decisions taken.

The Initiator of Proceedings (IoP) is independent from any EHF body or commission and treats reports with impartiality. He ensures that reports and any other investigations remain confidential and is responsible for taking the decision whether or not to request the continuation of proceeding in respect of a reported fact.

EHF COURT OF ARBITRATION COUNCIL (ECA)

Of the two cases submitted to the arbitral chamber in 2020, one was swiftly terminated based on the grounds of jurisdiction. The second case centred on a contractual dispute, with an arbitration clause within the contract allowing the Court of Arbitration (ECA) to render a quick and impartial award having the same effect as a civil court judgment.

The organisation and administration of ECA continues to be supported by the four members of the ECA Council. However, Vice President Bettenfeld, after having served three terms, and Vice President Sojkin, having reached the age limit for candidature, will vacate their positions in 2021.

Legal Delegation

The Legal Delegation is an administrative body established by the Executive Committee to function as an oversight committee. Comprised of the Presidents of the Court of Handball, Court of Appeal and Court of Arbitration Council, the group convenes to consider legal issues across the internal legal structure. The most recent meeting, in November 2020, dealt with various topics but focused on the current health situation and therefore the potential adaptation of the Code of Conduct and competition regulations.

EHF Nations’ Board (MEN)

Since the creation of the Nations’ Board (NB) for men’s handball in 2010, the members have engaged at the highest level of the sport-political spectrum within European handball. The Nations’ Board is the primary stakeholder, with the six members elected by Congress to serve the welfare and interest of the EHF member federations. As the organisation evaluated the numerous and varying options concerning the international calendar, the input of the Nations’ Board was crucial, as any decision taken would, and eventually did, affect every EHF member federation. When competitions were eventually postponed or cancelled, it was the support of the 50 members reflected through the Nations’ Board that enabled the tough decisions to be broadly accepted.

In 2020, it was necessary to change the general structure of the meetings with the stakeholder groups to include joint meetings of common interest; thus, the NB convened with the European Handball League Board (EHLB) for exchanges of information on men’s handball prior to the main sessions. The next meeting of the Nations’ Board, in March 2021, will be the final gathering in the current form as, in accordance with the 2018 Congress decision, the structure of the stakeholder group will be overhauled, ushering in the National Committees. The reconstituted Nations Board will see its chairperson take a seat on the Executive Committee.

Professional Handball Board (PHB)

The Professional Handball Board is an amalgamation of the recognised stakeholder groups: national federations, clubs, leagues and players, with additional representation from the EHF Executive Committee and with the presence of the President and Secretary General. Since 2019, joint meetings with the members of the Women’s Handball Board have been conducted in order to facilitate the dissemination of information valuable to both parties.

Although the fate of club and national team competitions was at the forefront of the discussions in 2020, the Professional Handball Board also dealt with the demanding topics of players’ agents and education compensation. As no resolution could be delivered to either matter due to the intricacy and depth of both subjects, they will return to the agenda in 2021.

Women’s Handball Board

The Women’s Handball Board (WHB) represents the unification of the currently recognised stakeholder groups, being the Executive Committee, member federations and the clubs, via the Women’s Forum Club Handball. At this time, there is no group official representing women’s handball leagues or players; thus, to ensure a balance view, additional members are nominated to the WHB by the EHF Executive Committee.

Through the Women’s Handball Network Workshop, the members of the WHB forged ahead with a strategic plan for further developing women’s handball and broadening education of women in handball. The event was well received by the National Federations in attendance, who were provided information on, and contributed to the topics of, grassroots, handball at school, development of young players and talent management.

As the ongoing project ‘Respect Your Talent’ could not be implemented for the men’s youth and junior events due to the postponements, the WHB swiftly adapted the concept to include ‘Handball at Home’ activities where RYT ambassadors and RYT players were activated to encourage the handball community into action at home during the Europe-wide lockdown, all with the objective to keep motivation at a high level in a challenging time. Additionally, in 2021, in cooperation with EHF CAN, the WHB will resume the educational plan, which was rescheduled due to the pandemic.

European Handball League Board

The European Handball League Board (EHLB) for men’s leagues remains committed to strengthening the network of leagues across the continent by working with all leagues irrespective of status (professional or non-professional) or type (independent or federation-operated). In 2020, and compared to other stakeholders, the endeavours of the EHLB bore the brunt of the premature end to the 2019/2020 handball season. It was not possible to implement the SMART project activities according to the planned schedule; therefore, all projects are currently on hold and will resume at the appropriate time. Meanwhile, the EHLB members intensified their contact with handball leagues within Europe. When activities resume in the new year, the EHLB will meet for the scheduled summer and autumn stakeholder sessions and, additionally, the EHLB Conference will take place on the fringe of the EHF FINAL4 in Cologne prior to the 2nd EHLB General Assembly.

EHF Marketing GmbH Boards:

EHFM ADVISORY BOARD (AB):
EHF:

Michael Wiederer (AUT), Chairman, EHF President
Henrik La Cour (DEN), Member, EHF Vice President Finances
Martin Hausleitner (AUT), Member, EHF Secretary General

FCH:

Peter Leutwyler (SUI), Member, MFCH Representative
Zsolt Akos Jeney (HUN), Member, WFCH Representative
Gerd Butzeck (GER), Member, FCH Managing Director

MEN’S CLUB BOARD (MC):
EHF:
Michael Wiederer (AUT), Chairman, EHF President
Predrag Boskovic (MNE), Member, EHF First Vice President
Henrik La Cour DEN), Member, EHF Vice President Finances
Martin Hausleitner (AUT), Member, EHF Secretary General

MFCH:
Janos Szabo (HUN), Member, Board Member FCH
Thorsten Storm (GER), Member, Deputy Board member FCH
Bruno Martini (FRA), Member, Representative FCH
Gerd Butzeck (GER), Member, Managing Director FCH

WOMEN’S CLUB BOARD:
WFCH:
Tamas Szabo (HUN), Chairman
Per Geir Lovstad (NOR), Vice Chairman
Nicolas Roue (FRA), Member
Gerhard Haidvogel (AUT), Member
Lars Gantzel Pedersen (DEN), Member

EHFM COMPTROLLERS COUNCIL:
EHF:
Alain Koubi (FRA), Comptroller
Robert Prettenthaler (AUT), Comptroller

FCH:
Gerd Hofele (GER), Comptroller - MFCH
Per Geir Løvstad (NOR), Comptroller – WFCH