The stage is set for an exciting evening of international handball as Great Britain Men prepare to face Kosovo in the IHF World Championship Qualifiers on Wednesday 29 October at Derby Arena. With the team coming off the back of historic performances earlier this year, Head Coach Ricardo Vasconcelos says preparations have been both focused and full of intent.
“Preparations for the upcoming fixture against Kosovo have been going well,” Vasconcelos explained. “Working following the positive and historic results from January and March has been really good. The players have shown great energy and focus throughout the tasks we have been completing, and we’ve been working on a few key areas of analysis prior to our get-together. We know Kosovo will be a very tough opponent, so attention to detail has been a big part of our preparation.”
For Vasconcelos, the focus goes beyond the scoreboard. While a positive result is always the target, the match also represents another step in the team’s evolution.
“In terms of expectations, we want to see a strong, disciplined performance,” he continued. “Once again, we find ourselves with a few constraints for selection, but that’s a key part of our growth process, and a few younger players will get their opportunity to consolidate their stance with the group. We want to play with confidence and continue to grow. Therefore, the goal is not just to get a positive result, but to keep building on our identity as a team -showing intensity, teamwork, and improving our ability to make better decisions in key moments.”
Playing on home soil provides an added layer of motivation. With Derby Arena set to welcome a passionate home crowd, the GB squad are eager to make the most of the atmosphere.
“Having home support at Derby Arena makes a massive difference,” Vasconcelos said. “The players feed off that energy-it lifts performance levels and creates a real sense of pride every time we step on court. My message to the fans would be to come out, be loud, and enjoy the occasion, because your backing genuinely drives the team forward. We also recognise that playing at home brings a big responsibility. We’re aware that there will be hundreds of British athletes and young players watching, both in the stands and at home, and we want to set the right example—to show what it means to represent your country and to inspire the next generation.”
Looking further ahead, the fixture plays an important role in Great Britain’s long-term international ambitions.
“Looking beyond this fixture, this game is a really important step in our long-term development,” Vasconcelos added. “It’s about building consistency, gaining experience at international level, and giving our players the chance to test themselves against different styles of play. Every match helps us grow -it’s part of the bigger picture of where we want to go as a team. Kosovo have shown what it takes to perform consistently at this level, and that’s exactly the standard we’re aiming for. These are the kinds of games where we can measure ourselves against that benchmark and see how close we are to reaching it.”
With passion, purpose, and pride on full display, Wednesday’s clash promises to be an unmissable occasion for British handball.
GB vs Kosovo
Wednesday 29 October
5:00pm throw-off
Derby Arena
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