Among the headliners on Wednesday are 2025 World Championship silver medallists Croatia. Croatia are one of two World Championship semi-finalists contesting the qualifiers — the other being Portugal, who will take the court as the round concludes on Thursday.

Double-headers will also be played in the EHF EURO Cup 2026, which features the hosts of the EHF EURO 2026, along with current title holders France. 

GROUP 1

North Macedonia vs Slovenia
Wednesday 12 March, 20:00 CET, live on EHFTV

Slovenia have won both matches played in the qualifiers and lead the group with the maximum four points, but are currently missing a number of players due to injury, including goalkeeper Klemen Ferlin and back and core defender Borut Mackovsek
North Macedonia have recorded one victory and one defeat, beating Estonia in Skopje then losing to Lithuania away
North Macedonia have beaten Slovenia only twice in eight previous encounters, and both victories were by just one goal, with the latest occurring at the EHF EURO 2018
Slovenia last missed a place at the EHF EURO in 2014, while North Macedonia have had a steady stream of participation since missing the 2010 edition
since the first rounds of qualifiers, both teams played the World Championship in January, where Slovenia placed 13th and North Macedonia 15th; five months before, Slovenia reached the Olympic semi-finals at Paris 2024

Estonia vs Lithuania
Wednesday 12 March, 18:00 CET, live on EHFTV

while Lithuania have two points thanks to a 29:27 win against North Macedonia in round 2, Estonia are still waiting for their first points, having lost both matches so far
although they were defeated, Estonia did have a standout match in round 2, losing to Slovenia by just one goal — their closest result ever against the side
Lithuania made it to the EHF EURO 2022, ranking 21st, after last participating in the final tournament — their sole previous appearance — in 1998
Estonia have never made it to the EHF EURO or any other major championship
this is the first match between the sides since 2004, when Lithuania took two victories in the qualifiers for the World Championship