The Handball-Bundesliga is gaining more attention as it continues to attract top international talent. The latest news is that the Costa brothers from Portugal—Francisco and Martim—will join SG Flensburg-Handewitt for the 2027/28 season. Both under 25 years old, they played key roles in Portugal's recent successes, and their arrival marks the latest development in a strong trend of elite handball players choosing Germany’s top league.
Even though FC Barcelona recently claimed the Champions League title, the Handball-Bundesliga remains the central point for elite European handball. Bundesliga clubs are aggressively expanding their rosters. Domen Makuc, who was crucial in Barcelona’s recent victory, has signed with THW Kiel. Flensburg is also strengthening its team with the addition of Emil Bergholt from Denmark and Aymeric Minne from France.
New signings for Flensburg
Emil Bergholt, a former World Champion, is expected to replace Johannes Golla in Flensburg. Aymeric Minne, a standout player in the French league, brings top-level experience from HBC Nantes to the German team. Both players will help raise the team's competitiveness.
Martim Costa, 23 years old, is a right-handed player known for his strong one-on-one abilities and wide shooting range. He plays for the Portuguese club Sporting Lissabon and has already made a name for himself internationally. His brother Francisco, who turned 21 in February, has 44 appearances for the Portuguese national team and plays as a left-handed player for Lissabon as well.
The brothers are part of a growing wave of talent from Portugal. Both are recognized for their speed, precision, and intelligence on the court. Their inclusion in Flensburg's roster has been described by club officials as a 'ganz besondere Verpflichtung,' meaning a unique and highly valuable signing that will boost the team’s depth and reputation on the world stage.
Brothers from Portugal
Flensburg's coach, Ales Pajovic, is especially excited about the Costa brothers. He called them 'two of the most exciting players of their generation' and believes their youth, experience, and passion align perfectly with the team's goals. Both players bring a unique combination of skill and determination to the league.
Flensburg has traditionally focused on players from the Nordic region, but the Costa brothers represent a shift toward a broader international scouting strategy. Both are known for their speed and efficiency in their club and national team play. Their inclusion in the Flensburg lineup highlights the club's commitment to building a world-class team.
SG Flensburg-Handewitt has a strong history in the Bundesliga and European competitions. The Costa brothers are expected to significantly boost the team's chances in both national and international competitions.
Impact on the team
Martim Costa's strengths include his ability to shoot from a variety of angles and his excellent one-on-one skills. He also has the capability to act as a playmaker in the backcourt, which adds an extra dimension to the team's strategy. His younger brother Francisco, known as Kiko, is equally talented. Both brothers have already made a big impact in international tournaments.
The Costa brothers' arrival in Flensburg is more than just a signing. It's a sign of the Bundesliga's increasing global reach. Their addition is expected to inspire more top players to consider Germany as a destination for their careers. For Flensburg and the league as a whole, this is a step forward in the quest to dominate European handball.
The brothers are part of a new generation of handball stars who represent the rising talent in Southern Europe. The Costa brothers are at the forefront of this movement and their move to Flensburg is expected to elevate the team to new heights.
Flensburg's SG Geschäftsführer, Holger Glandorf, is thrilled with the signing. He sees the Costa brothers as a rare opportunity to enhance the team's quality and reputation. Their presence in the Bundesliga adds another layer of excitement for fans and sets the stage for an even more competitive league in the coming seasons.
The Costa brothers are not just athletes—they are symbols of a new era in handball. Their style of play, which combines speed and precision, fits perfectly with the modern approach to the game. Their arrival in Flensburg is a clear statement that the Handball-Bundesliga is open to the best players from around the world.
