# Austrian handball league and club developments

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/austrian-handball-league-and-club-developments
> Updated: 2026-08-31T09:20:48.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

The Austrian handball landscape is undergoing structural and organizational changes for the 2026/27 season. Finanzfuchsgruppe has expanded its partnership with Handball Ligen Austria (HLA) to serve as the main sponsor and naming-rights partner. This has resulted in the top division being renamed the ‘MEHRLEBEN HLA MEISTERLIGA powered by Finanzfuchsgruppe’ and the second tier becoming the ‘MEHRLEBEN HLA CHALLENGE powered by Finanzfuchsgruppe’.

At the club level, HSG Holding Graz is entering the season with a restructured roster and new leadership following the retirement of Florian Schimmel and several player departures. The club has secured the signing of Martin Breg from BT Füchse, and Risto Arnaudovski is beginning his first full season as head coach. 

In the opening round of the season, HSG Holding Graz secured a 35:32 victory against UHK Krems in the MEHRLEBEN HLA Meisterliga. After a 19:19 tie at halftime and a 30:30 deadlock late in the game, Graz utilized a strong defense in the final ten minutes to pull ahead, with Thomas Eichberger and Martin Breg noted as key contributors. 

In the MEHRLEBEN HLA Challenge Ost, concircle WEST WIEN earned its first two points of the season with a 37:32 home win against Handball Sportunion Leoben. Despite a red card in the 45th minute that allowed Leoben to narrow the gap to four goals, West Wien maintained control to secure the victory.

## Claims

- HSG Holding Graz defeated HSG Xentis Lipizzanerheimat 30-29 in the Styrian derby. (single source)
- Kilian Schranz scored the winning goal in the final ten seconds of the match. (single source)
- Goalie Thomas Eichberger left the game after 20 minutes due to a thigh injury. (single source)
- SC kelag Ferlach secured a 28-26 away victory against ALPLA HC Hard. (single source)
- HC FIVERS WAT Margareten won the Vienna derby. (single source)
- The Graz99ers lost their third Champions Hockey League match with a 1-4 defeat against Eisbären Berlin. (single source)
- Salzburg lost 0-5 to Rögle Ängelholm in the Champions Hockey League. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-31: Austrian handball enters new season with major sponsorship and roster changes

Finanzfuchsgruppe becomes the naming-rights partner for Austrian handball leagues, while HSG Holding Graz prepares for the 2026/27 season with new coach Risto Arnaudovski and signing Martin Breg.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/austrian-handball-enters-new-season-with-major-sponsorship-and-roster-changes

### 2026-08-19: Graz sports clubs announce handball schedule and hockey preseason plans

HSG Holding Graz announced its 2026/27 handball schedule, while the Graz99ers ice hockey team prepares for a preseason test match against Mountfield HK in the Czech Republic.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/graz-sports-clubs-announce-handball-schedule-and-hockey-preseason-plans

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Cite as: Austrian handball league and club developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/austrian-handball-league-and-club-developments