Slovenia and Spain meet this Thursday in the quarter-finals of the U20 European handball championship. The match features two young prospects: Marcos Fis, MVP of the ASOBAL League, and Aljus Anzic, the Slovenian 'Lamine Yamal' who said no to Barça.
The U20 European handball championship taking place in Romania has a match this Thursday that promises intense emotions. Spain and Slovenia will face each other at 18:30 in the quarter-finals, with two young stars as the main attractions: Marcos Fis, 19 years old and recently named MVP of the ASOBAL League, and Aljus Anzic, 18, nicknamed in his country as the 'Lamine Yamal' of Slovenian handball.
Anzic, the Slovenian Gem Who Said No to Barça
Anzic not only shines on the court but has also made a decision that surprised Barça fans. The Barça spotted him at the Four Nations Tournament in Tarazona in 2024, when Jordi Rosell, the coordinator of the Blaugrana youth system, saw a special talent in him. The club offered him a place at La Masia, to play for Barça Atlètic and, over time, earn a spot in the first team of Carlos Ortega.
However, the young central player from Celje preferred to stay at his club, where his mother, Alenka, is president, and his father, Ales, is the goalkeeper coach. Additionally, he prioritised the opportunity to compete in Europe and renewed his contract with Celje until 2028. A decision that, given his performance, seems to be the right one: Celje won the Slovenian League and will play in the Champions League in 2026-27, where they will face Aalborg, Paris SG, and Zagreb.
Star Numbers in the U20 European Championship
In the tournament, Anzic is Slovenia's offensive leader. He has accumulated 42 goals in five matches (8.4 on average) and 23 assists (4.6 per game). His standout performance was against Poland, where he scored 15 goals in Slovenia's victory (40-34). Meanwhile, Marcos Fis has scored 28 goals with the junior 'Hispanos', who are seeking their third consecutive gold in the category. The duel between the two will be crucial in deciding who advances to the semi-finals.
Anzic already dazzled in the summer of 2025 in the two World Championships he played at just 17 years old, being the youngest player in the competition. His nickname of 'Lamine Yamal' in handball is not without reason: he plays as a central, has game vision, and a powerful shot. "It is a privilege to be called that. I try to see it optimistically and just play," said the Slovenian.
What is at Stake for Spain and Slovenia
The winner of this match will face the winner of the Germany-Hungary match in the semi-finals, which is also taking place this Thursday. The final will be on Sunday, July 19. For Spain, the objective is clear: to defend their title as U20 European champions, something they achieved in the last two editions. For Slovenia, it would be a historic milestone to reach the top four.
The clash pits two different styles against each other: the defensive solidity and experience of the 'Hispanos' against the offensive explosiveness of a Slovenia led by Anzic. Handball fans have an unmissable appointment to see the future stars of the sport.
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