The new season 2016/17 saw a new development for the European Handball Federation with the confirmation of new equipment suppliers to supply official match balls and equipment to both the EHF and EHF Marketing GmbH.
Having been a partner since the foundation of the federation, adidas ended its long-term partnership with the EHF at the end of the 2015/16 season.
New Danish ball supplier
The leading ball suppler, SELECT, became the official ball supplier, having signed a four-year deal with the EHF and EHF Marketing GmbH.
The Danish company providing the official match ball for all EHF competitions including the VELUX EHF Champions League, Women's EHF Champions League, Men’s and Women’s EHF Cup as well as the EHF’s flagship national team competition, the EHF European Championships.
A new and exclusive ball design is to be presented for each competition on an annual basis for the duration of the contract. SELECT will offer the official match ball and replica versions for sale via leading sports retailers worldwide.
The official ball for the Women's EHF EURO 2016 in Sweden was launched at the Final Tournament draw in Gothenburg on 10 June 2016.
Salming confirmed as official outfitter
A four-year deal Swedish footwear and apparel supplier, Salming, was confirmed at the start of the 2016/17 season.
One of the fastest growing brands in handball, Salming is also known for its high quality products for running, floorball and squash.
As the official sports outfitter to both the EHF and EHF Marketing GmbH, the company is to develop an official merchandising range for the EHF Champions League to be launched later in the 2016/17 season.
The range will include both an ‘EHF Champions League’ branded line and also special products for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 and WOMEN’S EHF FINAL4.
The company’s products are worn by many of the sport’s top stars including legendary Swedish goalkeeper, Mattias Andersson, who plays his handball in the VELUX EHF Champions League for SG Flensburg-Handewitt.
All of the federation’s top referees will be kitted out in Salming apparel through to 2019/20 across all of the federation’s competitions including the EHF Champions League, EHF Cup and EHF EURO events.