ebt Finals mascot Sandy meets the Pope

The European Beach Handball Tour Finals has a mascot and it has already met the Pope.

Sandy, an octopus, was based on an idea by students at the University of Cassino and Southern Lazio and will be the official mascot for the tournament held in Gaeta, Italy from 26 to 28 May 2017.

On 22 February, at the lighting of the torch of St. Benedict in the Vatican, Sandy was presented to and blessed by Pope Francis.

Sandy was given to Pope Francis as he received a delegation from CUS Cassino, organisers of the ebt Finals in Gaeta.

An octopus is a suitable mascot for the event held in Gaeta, as they are commonly found off the coast and play a large role in the local cuisine.

ebt Finals registration still open

The 2017 edition of the ebt Finals will see Europe's best beach handball teams gathering in Gaeta, Italy, the place where the first Beach Handball EURO took place in 2000.

The ebt Finals are the opening event of the European beach handball season and showcase the teams that have done the best in the previous season's European Beach Tour (ebt). The tournament is played by 20 teams (10 women's and 10 men's teams).

The deadline for registrations is 3 April 2017. The registration form can be downloaded here.

Men's teams

• G.A.S. KILKIS AKROPOLIS / GRE – defending champions
• Salgótarjáni Strandépítok BHC / HUN
• DETONO ZAGREB / CRO
• CBMP Ciudad de Málaga / ESP
• TSHV Camelot / NED
• SC Ekaterinodar / RUS
• BHC Beach & Da Gang Münster / GER
• BHT AUTO FORUM PETRA PLOCK / POL
• Os Gordos/Labminho - Clube Naval de Leça
• Wild card team

Women’s teams:

• Agenta Girls aka Multichem Szentendrei N.K.E. / HUN – defending champions
• Westsite Amsterdam / NED
• WBHC Kontesa Nera / CRO
• OVB Beach Girls® / HUN
• Club Balonmano Playa Algeciras / ESP
• KS Red Hot Czili Buk / POL
• Beachqueens / SUI
• Cannabis Energy Drink – Kanonierky / SVK
• A.C.Spartacus Goalbet / GRE
• Wild card team