Credit: Pascal Swier (Unsplash)

The pinnacle of national handball is returning to Nottingham this June, marking the high point of the handball calendar in England.

Taking place on the weekend of 10 and 11 June, the England Handball cup finals will return to the David Ross Sports Centre, at the University of Nottingham’s Uni Park Campus, where it was held last year with the return of indoor handball.

The semi-finals of the senior competitions are due to take place on May 14 in Oldham, where those who will move onto the finale will be determined.

Nottingham HC, who last year were the runners up in the men’s senior edition, will not be present this year after slipping agonisingly to a 33-32 defeat against Olympia in the quarter finals.

Credit: Marino Bobetic (Unsplash)

John Pearce, national events and media manager at England Handball, said of the upcoming semis: “It’s an incredibly exciting year of handball that’s already seen the conclusion of the Premier League season.

“Next up, its the continuation of the cup, with a trip to the grand National Finals on offer for winning their semi-final tie.

“We can’t wait for another exciting weekend of handball – good luck to all teams involved.”

Credit: Miguel Puig (Unsplash)

In the men’s semi-finals, NEM Hawks will Olympia, whilst West London Eagles will face a tough battle against reigning champions London GD, who have GB U20s coaching duo Dani Ramos and Zoran Lukacs in their ranks.

The women’s competition sees reigning champions Olympia in action against Northampton, and West London Eagles facing Liverpool.

Finals weekend will see an array of competition, with not only the senior teams involved.

There will also be the cup finals of the U19s, U16s and U14s competitions.

Away from the club sides, the weekend will also see the national finals of the U13s and U15s schools competition, and the universities Summer Cup outside on the David Ross astroturf.

In last year’s senior finals, Nottingham HC lost out to London GD in the men’s competition, whilst in the women’s it was GD who lost out to Olympia.

The finals are free for all to come down and watch.