EHF Excellence Awards
Recognising handball excellence
Reistad and Gidsel named MVPs of the 2024/25 season
Two superstars and the season’s top scorers in their respective EHF Champions League competitions — European champion with Norway Henny Reistad and world champion with Denmark Mathias Gidsel — were named as the MVPs of the 2024/25 season, with the announcement taking place at the EHF Champions League 2025/26 group phase draw in Vienna in late June.
Reistad and Gidsel were selected as part of the “Team of the Season” earlier in June, after voting for the EHF Excellence Awards 2025 concluded.
At the same time, two under 21 players were announced as the Best Young Players of the season. Swiss right wing Mia Emmenegger, who played her debut EHF FINAL4 this season with Team Esbjerg, and Spanish left wing for MT Melsungen, Ian Barrufet — the EHF European League Men top scorer — took the prestigious titles.
Team and MVP of the season
WOMEN
MVP: Henny Reistad – Norway/Team Esbjerg
Left wing: Chloé Valentini – France/Metz Handball
Selected for a second year running, France’s top scorer at the Women’s EHF EURO 2024, where they finished fourth. Also scored 58 goals for Metz on their way to fourth place at the EHF FINAL4 Women 2025.
Left back: Estelle Nze Minko – France/Györi Audi ETO KC
Won her second EHF Champions League title with Györ in 2025, and was the club’s second top-scorer on their way to the trophy as well as playing a key role tactically. Also helped France to their fourth place at the Women’s EHF EURO 2024.
Centre back: Henny Reistad – Norway/Team Esbjerg
The top scorer of the EHF Champions League Women season with Team Esbjerg, netting 154 goals as Esbjerg took third overall. Also won her third European title in December for Norway.
Right back: Dione Housheer – Netherlands/Györi Audi ETO KC
Had a breakout season in 2024/25; was Györ’s top scorer and joint fifth overall in the EHF Champions League, with 91 goals, to claim her first trophy. Was additionally the Netherlands’ top scorer at the Women’s EHF EURO 2024.
Right wing: Viktória Gyori-Lukács – Hungary/Györi Audi ETO KC
Another Györ player and EHF Champions League champion, shone as Hungary won their first EHF EURO medal for 12 years in December. Was their second top scorer and joint sixth overall with 42 goals. Also won this award in 2024.
Line player: Kari Brattset Dale – Norway/Györi Audi ETO KC
Picked up both major titles last season: the EHF Champions League with Györ, and EHF EURO gold for Norway. Was critical to both her club and country, and is also named best defender for her efforts.
Goalkeeper: Katrine Lunde – Norway/Odense Håndbold
Won her seventh EHF EURO at the age of 44 in December 2024, and after switching to Odense Håndbold mid-season, was pivotal in their second place in Budapest. Remains one of the best in the business.
Defender: Kari Brattset Dale – Norway/Györi Audi ETO KC
Men
MVP: Mathias Gidsel – Denmark/Füchse Berlin
Left wing: Emil Jakobsen – Denmark/SG Flensburg-Handewitt
Helped Denmark to a world title and SG Flensburg-Handewitt to the EHF European League Men trophy last season. Notched up 45 goals for Denmark at the World Championship, and was top scorer at the Maschinensucher EHF Finals in Hamburg.
Left back – Felix Claar – Sweden/SC Magdeburg
Won his first EHF Champions League title with SC Magdeburg in Cologne. Award adds to his centre back at the Excellence Awards 2024.
Centre back: Gisli Kristjansson – Iceland/SC Magdeburg
Named MVP of the TruckScout24 EHF FINAL4 as Magdeburg won the EHF Champions League in Cologne, becoming second player to win the MVP award twice.
Right back: Mathias Gidsel – Denmark/Füchse Berlin
Missed out on an EHF Champions League title this season, but was the top scorer and also won the World Championship with Denmark – where he was also top scorer and MVP.
Right wing: Mario Sostaric – Croatia/OTP Bank - PICK Szeged
Picked up silver for Croatia at the IHF World Championship where he was the All-star right wing, and was second top scorer in the Champions League with 130 goals.
Line player: Ludovic Fabregas – France/One Veszprém HC
Takes this award for a second year running, after winning world championship bronze for France, and being an important part of the One Veszprém squad in their EHF Champions League campaign.
Goalkeeper: Emil Nielsen – Denmark/Barça
Unstoppable for his club and country this season, making the most saves in the EHF Champions League and at the 2025 IHF World Championship, and winning the award for a second year in a row.
Defender, Magnus Saugstrup – Denmark/SC Magdeburg
A wall for Denmark and SC Magdeburg throughout the season, making an astonishing 13 steals as Denmark won the world title in January. The only player to win both the IHF World Championship and EHF Champions League 2025.
Young players of the season
WOMEN
Mia Emmenegger – Switzerland/Team Esbjerg
Started season at Vipers Kristiansand but made an impact when she moved to Esbjerg mid-season, and played her first EHF FINAL4. Crucial for Switzerland in their 12th-place finish at the EHF EURO, playing the majority of every match.
MEN
Ian Barrufet – Spain/MT Melsungen
Youngest-ever top scorer of the European League, netting 81 times through the season as Melsungen reached the Maschinensucher EHF Finals. Named in Spain’s IHF World Championship team, scoring 11 times in six matches.
Beach handball MVPs
WOMEN
Asun Batista – Spain/CATS A.M. Team Almeria
MVP of the ebt Finals 2025 as CATS A.M. Team Almeria won the women’s trophy, and key to Spain’s win at the EHF Beach Handball EURO 2025 where Spain won their first gold medal. Also named beach handball MVP at the EHF Excellence Awards 2023.
MEN
Oliver Middell – Germany/12Monkeys Köln BHC
Best men’s goalkeeper of the EHF Beach Handball EURO 2025 and the ebt Finals 2025, winning gold at the Beach Handball EURO and finishing fourth at the ebt Finals. Also scored two goals at the Beach Handball EURO.
