Handball’s Must-Watch Players

From rising stars to all-time greats, here are the five male and five female players you need to keep an eye on.

(Image credit to IHF)

Mathias Gidsel:

After having debuted with the Danish National Team, Gidsel signed a contract with the German team Füchse Berlin until 2028 in 2022, where he is currently playing after having extended his contract till 2029 last year.

He is considered one of the best players of all time and is the first player to receive the IHF World Player Of The Year three times in a row, IHF World champion and Olympic Gold Medalist.

Known for his explosiveness, high pace and great stamina, he has become a key player for both club and national team at only 27 years old.

Sander Sagosen:

Born in Norway, the boy started playing handball at Kolstad Håndball in 2012 and is currently playing at the Danish club Aalborg Håndbold with a contract until the summer of 2029, after having played for many big clubs like PSG Handball and FC Barcelona Handball.

Sagosen was included on the all-star team for five consecutive major international competitions as either best centre back or left back and is considered one of the current best players.

Dika Mem:

Playing for the French National Team and FC Barcelona, the French back player started playing handball later than most at the age of 13.

However, that didn’t limit him. Having won the IHF World championship once, EHF European championship once and being a Olympic Gold Medalist, Mem is considered one of the best of his generation, best known for his strong shooting and leadership.

Emil Nielsen:

Unlike the others, Emil Nielsen is a goalkeeper, playing for FC Barcelona, alongside Dika Mem, and the Danish National Team.

When he was 20 years old, Nielsen was diagnosed with meningitis, a condition that could’ve ended his career, but despite that he joined the Danish handball team just two years later. 

He did not have immediate success here and was left out from the team in 2019, before coming back to represent Denmark in 2021, but didn’t have his breakout on the National Team before the World Championship in 2024 where he had the tournament's overall highest saving percentage and the third most overall saves.

With his exceptional reflexes and high-save percentages, Nielsen is a standout player.

Felix Claar: 

Having played for clubs in Sweden, Denmark and Germany, the Swedish centre back is recognised as one of the best in the world.

He joined the Swedish National Team in 2017 and since then has helped the team secure a silver medal at the 2021 World Championship, gold medal at the 2022 European Championship and bronze medal at the 2024 European Championship.

Known for his exceptional goal-scoring, high intelligence and duel play, Claar is an elite playmaker for SC Magdeburg and the Swedish National Team.

Henny Reistad:

Famous for her agility and ability to take on defenders one-on-one, Reistad is considered one of the best of her generation.

Playing for the Danish club, Team Esbjerg and the Norwegian National Team, the left back has won the Women’s IHF World Player Of The Year the last three years.

Julie Scaglione:

Scaglione is recognised as a ‘jewel’ and rising star. She plays for the Danish National Team, having made her debut for them in 2022, and the Danish club Ikast Håndbold.

Her mother, Lone Mathiesen, being a former player for Danish National Team, where she helped Denmark secure the 1997 World Championship, Scaglione comes from a family with professional handball background.

The 21-year old left back has already achieved a bronze medal at the 2023 World Championship and shown extra ordinary talent.

Nora Mørk:

Known for being able to keep reaching peak form after multiple serious knee injuries and nine knee surgeries, Mørk earned the nickname ‘comeback queen’.

The Norwegian right back plays for The Danish Club Team Esbjerg and the Norwegian National Team.

She is widely recognised as one of the best of all time and even a top contender for best ever.

Mørk has helped the Norwegian National Team secure winning three World Championships, five European Championships and one Olympic Games making her one of the most decorated players.

Estelle Nze Minko:

Born and grown up in France, Nze Minko is a highly decorated player. She is a one-time Olympic Champion, two-time World Champion and one-time European Champion.

She plays for the Hungarian club, Győri Audi ETO KC and the French National Team, where she has become a crucial player for both.

Known for her ability to steal the ball, sprint and score, she has helped Győri Audi ETO KC secure multiple EHF Champion Leagues.

Sandra Toft:

The last one to keep an eye on is Danish goalkeeper, Sandra Toft. A vital player for both the Danish National Team and Győri Audi ETO KC, after having played at many major European clubs.

Best known for her mental strength and ability to dominate matches, by causing opponents to lose the ball, Toft has consistently been considered one the best goalkeepers globally.

Article written by Laura Friis