Chris O’Reilly is a former dual-discipline Ireland handball international as well as current handball commentator and podcast host. Having made his Jarun Cup debut as both a player and commentator in 2023, he has been ever-present at the Jarun Cup since.
In his own words, he tells us five things that stood out most for him at the 2026 edition….
1. A truly special mix
The Jarun Cup continues to carve out its place as one of the beach handball world’s most distinctive events and an unmissable season opener, blending elite competition with a laid-back festival atmosphere on the shores of Zagreb’s Lake Jarun.
With the event celebrating its largest tournament to date this year, it showcased something that I genuinely love about the event: its vast variety of levels, personalities and nationalities, with all being given equal treatment.
With world class talent balling out on the IHF Beach Handball Global Tour just metres away from a junior competition on another court, everyone appears comfortable in these surroundings and happy to watch and support each other in action.
It’s something you’d find difficult to replicate at any other tournament and any other sport.
2. The big-name clashes
The quality of the action at the top end of the tournament never disappoints and the intensity of the senior competitions was clear from the very beginning, with a prominent player sharing that they felt it was a higher calibre than this year’s EBT Finals would be.
And when things got serious, it was such a joy to witness names who are synonymous with the sport battle it out on centre court. Clashes such as Ivan Juric vs Simon Moss, or Isabel Barnard vs Renáta Csiki, will never get old.
3. Knockout handball
The expansion and new format of the Jarun Cup, with five knockout rounds, made for some spectacular runs and surprise results.
On the women’s side, it allowed Hungary’s OVB Beach Girls, who finished third in their group, an opportunity to make a splash, which they did – beating the higher-ranked Hiekka Hauskaa and Malaga to reach the semi-finals, before falling to unbeaten champions Westsite Amsterdam.
While on the men’s side, semi-finalists Algeciras and champions Zagreb battled all the way from the play-off round to the medal matches in incredible runs which proved to be an immediate payoff for the new format.
4. The next generation breaking through
This year’s format also gave us a chance to witness rising talents really pit their wits against Europe’s elite.
When you see some of the players on show for Aarhus Beach, Göteborg BHC, Hiekka Hauskaa and many more in action, it shows the sport’s evolution in real time and leaves most in agreement that the sport’s future is in very good hands.
5. The Jarun community and atmosphere
What sets Jarun apart is as much about the people as it is about the sport. Teams stay, socialise, and support each other beyond their own games, creating a genuine sense of community.
Whether it’s post-match analysis over drinks or spontaneous crowd engagement during games, the human side of the tournament is impossible to ignore and the people behind the scenes, making the event run as smooth as possible, are the true heartbeat of the Jarun Cup.
Follow Chris on the socials: Instagram and X
Photos: Pawel Jakubowski www.pawi.pl and Jozo Cabraja & Uros Hocevar / kolektiff