Task Force gathers to take EHF EURO to next level

The European Handball Federation has set up a 'Task Force Euro Events' for the EHF European Championships, intending to create a think tank that will gather ideas and concepts to shape the federation's flagship event in the future.

The idea for the Task Force was born following the EHF Conference of Presidents in June 2013 at which the topic of organisation, standards and participation of future EHF EURO events was raised.

Following the conference a team of eight was appointed and gathered for the first time at the EHF Office in Vienna on Friday.

"We consider this Task Force a platform that is created for the exchange of ideas and for preparing the issues for further treatment on the respective Commissions' and Boards' level for the presentation to the Executive Committee," said EHF Vice President and Task Force Chairman Arne Elovsson.

At their inaugural meeting the Task Force members touched on topics such as the feasibility of a playing schedule with 20 and 24 teams, the current situation of media and advertising sales also in relation to the expectations with a changed playing format as well as technical aspects and methodological impacts.

"It has to be underlined that the improvement of the EHF EURO events, as the core business of European national team handball, is not only linked to the structure of the event but significantly to preparatory, accompanying and other measures," said EHF EURO event coordinator, Monika Flixeder.

"In particular the strengthening of the qualification phases plays a very important role for the substance of the entire EURO system and therefore needs special attention."

The next meeting of the Task Force is scheduled for 20 November 2013. In the meantime further analysis of the current playing format with 16 teams compared to selected formats with either 20 or 24 teams will take place.

A report of Friday's inaugural meeting will be handed to the EHF Executive Committee at its meeting on 20/21 September 2013.

The EHF Task Force Euro Events: (from left to right) Helmut Höritsch (EHF Competence Academy & Network), Anrijs Brencans (Secretary General Latvian Handball Federation), Morten Stig Christensen (Chairman Nations Board), Arne Elovsson (EHF Vice President and the task force's chairman), Monika Flixeder (EHF EURO Events), Martin Hausleitner (Competitions Commission Member Men's National Teams), Martin Roos (Infront Sports and Media), Michael Wiederer (EHF Secretary General)