Dutch Demonstrate World Number One Status with Gold Medal at IKF European Korfball Championships 2026
Medal Matches
The IKF European Championships 2026 came to an end today in Zlín, Czechia, with the Netherlands taking home the gold medal following a 27-12 victory over their rivals from Belgium.
An exciting start to the match saw the teams exchange goals all through a high-scoring first quarter, with goals coming from all directions as eight different players found the basket. Belgium were almost able to match the scoring pace of their Dutch neighbours, with an impressive Kian AMORGASTE scoring twice, and so after ten minutes the score was 6-4 in favour of the Netherlands. The second quarter began with three goals in succession from Belgium, all from their female players. Not to be outdone, the Netherlands scored four of the next five goals as the momentum swung first one way and then the other in a real demonstration of attacking prowess from the women of both teams. At half-time the game lay tightly matched but with the Dutch in front, 10-8.
By the end of the third quarter, fourteen of the sixteen players on the court had scored. However, unfortunately for Belgium, the Netherlands were scoring faster and demonstrated why they are the world’s number one side: extending their lead with an impressive display of goal-scoring. As the third quarter drew to a close the Dutch sensed the opportunity to take complete control of the match and finished strongly: 19-10.
In the fourth quarter, with the victory secured, Netherlands were able to demonstrate the depth of their talent, making a large number of substitutions without compromising on the quality of their play. Dutch superstars Fleur HOEK and Brett ZUIJDWEGT finished on four goals each whilst Wobbe Ran FABER finished on a commanding six, securing his position as the tournament’s top male scorer with thirty-three goals overall. The final score was 27-12 in favour of the Netherlands.
Earlier, in the bronze medal match, home favourites Czechia took on a confident Germany. In front of a passionate and noisy hall of their own supporters, the Czech team started the match impressively, inspired by the positive energy from the crowd. With a controlled attacking performance, particularly from Lukas HOLIK and Petr GALICEK, seven of the eight Czech players had scored by half-time. Germany, meanwhile, struggled to find consistency under Czech defensive pressure and were unable to turn shots into goals. At half-time Czechia were in front, 8-5.
The teams exchanged goals throughout the third quarter, with neither team able to take control. In the fourth quarter Czechia moved up a gear and scored six unanswered goals in the first six minutes, with Sofie VOJNOVA finding the korf three times at just the right moment. With the result no longer in doubt, the last few minutes of the match proved to be all about Czechia as the celebrations started in the stands and on the Czechia bench. Winning a bronze medal in a European Championships is always special, but this Czech team will never forget doing so in a home event: final score 20-12.
Places 5 to 8
England overcame their disappointment at missing out on the medal matches by defeating an injury-hit Catalonia 15-11 to secure fifth place. Both sides took time to settle into the match, with an extremely low-scoring first quarter leaving the scores close at half-time. England showed their strength in the second half and secured the win during the third quarter.
The match for seventh place saw a rematch between Portugal and Türkiye after a close but low-scoring game played during the pool phases of the competition. Inês SANTOS produced an outstanding performance, scoring six goals as Portugal recovered from their loss earlier in the tournament, this time winning 24-17.
Places 9 to 16
Yesterday, in the battle for places 9 to 16, Poland proved too strong for Hungary (12-9) and took ninth place. It took a golden goal to separate Slovakia and Wales, Slovakia scoring twice in the last minute (!) to take the game to extra time. With the momentum firmly in their favour, Slovakia completed their 13-12 victory with a medium-distance shot to finish their tournament with a win and, more importantly, eleventh place. Elsewhere, Serbia won against Ireland (11-8) to claim thirteenth.
Scotland had to wait until the final day to complete their first victory of the championships, finishing fifteenth after defeating Switzerland 13-11. The Swiss will be left wondering “what if?” after the three extremely narrow defeats in the last three days that left them in sixteenth.
World Championship Qualification
The top ten ranked nations from the IKF European Championships 2026 have qualified for the IKF World Korfball Championships 2027, to be held in the Netherlands in October next year.
Top Scorers
Top scorers for the IKF European Championships 2026:
- ● Female player: Julia SORIANO MILIÁN – Catalonia (29 goals)
● Male player: Wobbe Ran FABER – Netherlands – (33 goals)
IKF European Korfball Championships 2026: Final Ranking
- 1. Netherlands
- 2. Belgium
- 3. Czechia
- 4. Germany
- 5. England
- 6. Catalonia
- 7. Portugal
- 8. Türkiye
- 9. Poland
- 10. Hungary
- 11. Slovakia
- 12. Wales
- 13. Serbia
- 14. Ireland
- 15. Scotland
- 16. Switzerland