After being nominated in 2025 for the awards for best right back and best left back, respectively, brothers Francisco Costa and Martim Costa are once again among the candidates for the award for best European player in their positions.

In the 2026 European Championship, in which Portugal achieved an unprecedented fifth place, Francisco Costa was named the best young player and the best right-back, and, with 61 goals, broke the record for goals scored by a Portuguese player in a continental championship.

Salvador Salvador is nominated for best defender of 2026, an award he already received at the European Championship, while Luís Frade, who won the Champions League with FC Barcelona, ​​is among the candidates for the pivot award.

Voting will take place on the EHF app from 17 to 21 June, with fan votes combined with those of coaches, players, journalists, and EHF representatives.

The winners will be announced on 23 and 24 July.