Barça Handball’s New Signing Seif Elderaa Faces Immediate European Test

Elderaa, whose signing was finalized on Monday, expressed his excitement, stating, “If you ask any child where they want to play, the first answer is Barça. I’m living a dream.” His current coach at Limoges, Alberto Entrerríos, praised his versatility, noting, “Seif has a privileged physique, excellent game-reading skills, and the ability to score and assist—he’s a complete player.”

However, Elderaa faces an immediate challenge before officially donning the Blaugrana jersey in July. On Tuesday at 18:45 CET, he and his Limoges teammates take on Kriens-Luzern in the first leg of the EHF European League Round of 16. Limoges, having finished second in Group II, will host the return leg on April 1, hoping to advance to the quarterfinals. A victory would set up a daunting clash with German powerhouse THW Kiel, who qualified directly for the quarters after topping their group.

Barça, meanwhile, is already looking ahead to their own European campaign. Having secured a direct spot in the EHF Champions League quarterfinals, the Blaugrana will face the winner of the Pick Szeged vs. PSG tie. The team, under coach Carlos Ortega, is eager to reclaim the Champions League title they last won in 2022, adding to their record 11 triumphs in the competition.

Elderaa’s arrival signals Barça’s intent to maintain their dominance in European handball, a legacy built on 62 trophies under legendary coach Valero Rivera, including five consecutive European Cups. As the Final Four in Hamburg looms on May 24-25, Elderaa’s immediate focus remains on helping Limoges navigate their European challenge, while Barça fans eagerly await his impact in the iconic Blaugrana colors. With a “colossal” test on the horizon, the Egyptian star’s journey in Europe is off to a thrilling start.