Irish Handball Masters Shine at the 2025 World Cup in Croatia

Three teams proudly flew the Irish flag at this year’s Masters Handball World Cup in Omis, Croatia, showcasing the depth, talent, and resilience of Ireland’s handball community on the international stage.

Now in its 8th year, the Masters Cup has become a premier global event for veteran handball players, bringing together 62 teams from 19 countries across Europe, South America, Africa, and beyond. The 2025 edition once again took place along Croatia’s picturesque Adriatic coast, offering fierce competition and a celebration of lifelong participation in the sport.

Celtic Legends Men’s 35+ – 5th Place Finish

In the highly competitive Men’s 35+ category, the Celtic Legends delivered an impressive performance, finishing 5th overall. Drawn in a group with powerhouse teams, including the eventual champions Golden Boys Merasport (Romania), the Irish side showed both grit and flair throughout the tournament.

A standout individual achievement came from Felipe Almeida, who was crowned the Top Scorer of the Men’s 35+ category, underlining his consistent attacking prowess and eye for goal across the competition. This accolade places Almeida among the elite of international Masters handball.

Celtic Legends Men’s 40+ – Strong Showing in 8th

In the Men’s 40+ division, another Celtic Legends squad competed admirably, placing 8th overall in a field stacked with former national players and seasoned club veterans. The experience gained from challenging European stalwarts like Bucovina (Romania) and Šmarskai (Lithuania) will no doubt fuel future performances from this growing team.

Irish Women’s 30+ – Near Podium Finish

The Irish Women’s 30+ team delivered one of the strongest showings of the event, narrowly missing out on a medal with a commendable 4th place finish. Competing against high-calibre teams including Liberty Kharkiv (Ukraine) and Jelenia Gora Masters (Poland), the Irish women proved that handball in Ireland is on the rise and that female participation is thriving.

A Testament to Passion and Growth

Olympic Handball Ireland’s representation at the Masters Cup is part of a broader strategy to build lifelong engagement in the sport, from youth participation to veteran competition. These Masters teams reflect the growing community of Irish handballers, particularly among our expat population, who continue to stay connected through competition, camaraderie, and the love of the game.

We’re proud of all players, coaches, and supporters who represented Ireland in Croatia. Their efforts not only exemplify OHI’s values of inclusivity, community and international competition — they also inspire the next generation of handball players at home.