Created: 2026.08.18. 13:19
The men’s beach handball team of ETO University Handball Team, representing Széchenyi István University under the name ETO University BHC, finished second in the European Beach Handball Tour (EBT) rankings, securing an opportunity to qualify for next summer’s European finals in Italy. The historic achievement places the team among the continent’s leading beach handball clubs. Two members of the squad are currently students at Széchenyi István University.
The European Beach Handball Tour (EBT) operates on a points-based ranking system. Teams earn points according to the category of each tournament they enter, with the final ranking determined by the combined points earned at their three best tournaments. Among this year’s participants was the Széchenyi István University club ETO University Handball Team, competing as ETO University BHC. The team accumulated a total of 2,333 points, finishing second in the standings.The Győr-based side, which also competed in several international tournaments and finished fourth in the Hungarian Championship final, has thus earned the opportunity to compete in next summer’s European finals in Italy. The final allocation of places will be determined by the European Handball Federation during the winter.
Rita Uhlig, managing director of Győri ETO UNI FKC, emphasised that qualifying for a tournament featuring the continent’s best teams is a major achievement, describing it as the equivalent of the beach handball Champions League final. She added that the current squad, competing under the ETO University name for the first time, was formed from players who had previously belonged to two different teams. Several key members of the squad previously played for the youth and junior teams of the Széchenyi István University Sports Association (SZESE) in Győr, meaning that the core of the team has now been playing together for a fifth season.
ETO University BHC finished third at the Salgó EBT tournament in Salgótarján, one of the most prestigious events in the European tournament series, making a significant advance in the continental rankings. (Photo: ETO University Handball Team Facebook)
“I am extremely proud of the boys. Our determination and team spirit were our greatest strengths this season, and they carried us through the entire campaign,” said head coach Bátor Bohuniczky.
The squad included six players with strong ties to Győr, two of whom are currently studying at Széchenyi István University. Zsolt Barabás, who plays as a pivot, is studying civil engineering.
“Thanks to the cooperation between ETO and the University, we were able to enter the championship and represent Győr at several international tournaments, including events in Croatia, the Netherlands and Poland. We have achieved some very good results, which means that we now also have a chance to qualify for the European finals,” he explained.
He added that balancing academic commitments with sport can be more challenging at the beginning of the beach handball season, but that both lecturers and fellow students are supportive.
“For next year, we hope that most of the team will stay together and that we will also be able to bring back some former teammates. From May onwards, our aim is to achieve the best possible results, finish among the leading teams at the top tournaments, and secure a place on the podium at the Hungarian Championship final,” he said.
Ádám Pauer is studying for a bachelor’s degree in logistics engineering in a part-time programme, which allows him to manage his academic and sporting commitments effectively.
“We have just finished a very good season with the team, and at most tournaments we achieved the goals we had set ourselves. By the end of the season, we had really developed a strong understanding with one another, and we are also proud of our fourth-place finish in the Hungarian Championship. We made significant individual progress as well, and our coach provided us with excellent training sessions. I played mainly in defence and served as the second-choice pivot behind Zsolt Barabás, where I was also able to perform effectively,” he said in summary.
Looking ahead, Pauer said he would like to remain in Győr because of the strong team community and hopes to achieve first place with the squad at both national and European level.
