Overview
- The second Group qualifying match is set for Sunday, 8 November 2026 at 18:00 in the Tatran Handball Arena in Prešov and will be streamed free on Joyn and the ARD‑Mediathek with a paid option on Dyn.
- Germany enter as clear favorites after a 42:32 win over Belgium in their opener and will look to tighten a defence that Gislason criticised after that game.
- Slovakia go into the home fixture under pressure following a 32:34 loss in Italy and need a positive result to keep qualification hopes alive.
- Gislason named two newcomers, Niklas Theiß and David More, and will use the qualifier to test tactical routines and assess players ahead of the January 2027 World Championship hosted in Germany.
- The top two teams from each qualifying group go directly to EM 2028 in Spain, Portugal and Switzerland, with the four best third‑placed teams also advancing, so early points carry practical importance for both sides.