Hard work beats talent when talent does not work hard – the Respect Your Talent Camp 2025, designed by the European Handball Federation and TWIN, took place in Vienna, Austria.

From 16-19 January, the European Handball Federation (EHF) hosted its sixth Respect Your Talent Camp, a transformative event uniting 30 of Europe’s brightest young handball talents. The three-day programme was a unique opportunity for rising stars to gain invaluable guidance from some of the world’s best players and learn what it takes to succeed—on and off the court.

Game’s greatest as ambassadors

TWIN Founder & CEO Wolfgang Stockinger, co-creator of Respect Your Talent, had the honor of moderating this prestigious gathering, welcoming the all-time handball greats Hans Lindberg (Denmark, Olympic Champion 2024), Viran Morros (Spain, World Champion 2013), Vid Kavticnik (Slovenia, EHF Champions League Winner 2007 & 2018), Carlos Prieto (Spain, EHF Champions League winner 1998, 1999 & 2006), and Ljubomir Vranjes (Sweden, World Champion 1999) as programme ambassadors.

“The most inspiring players are not just game changers on the court but strong in life overall, combining peak performance, personality, and social awareness with a solid foundation for success beyond the game. This new generation of players is what Respect Your Talent aims to contribute to, and thus, is the basis for the selection of our ambassadors.”
Martin Hausleitner
EHF Secretary General
Hans Lindberg for Respect Your Talent
Paris 2024 Olympic Champion Hans Lindberg working with young talents

Holistic athlete development in the making

Six interactive workshops explored the multifaceted journey of becoming a professional athlete: Nutrition, Mental Fitness, Interview Training, Social Media, Dual Career, Anti-Doping, and Sports Law. The camp’s agenda was packed with practical workshops and inspiring talks, emphasizing the importance of holistic athlete development. While technical skill and physical fitness remain critical, the event underscored the role of education, mental resilience, and personal responsibility in achieving long-term success.

Hands-on: How does a doping control work

Bringing together a diverse mix of world-class players, internationally acknowledged experts, and youthful ambition, the camp served as a melting pot of shared knowledge. Participants had the chance to learn directly from seasoned handball players, who shared firsthand accounts of their journeys to the top.

The ambassadors encouraged the next players’ generation to embrace continuous learning, build sustainable habits, and leverage their unique strengths to navigate the demands of elite handball. Their stories resonated deeply, highlighting the value of determination, adaptability, and self-belief.

Investment in the next generation

For TWIN, Respect Your Talent Camp aligns perfectly with its mission of supporting athletes in developing not only their sporting potential but also the life skills necessary for success beyond the game.

The 2025 edition was a resounding success, leaving participants with practical tools, fresh motivation, and an international network of like-minded peers. It reaffirmed the importance of investing in the next generation of athletes and showcased the profound impact of events that blend talent, hard work, and role modelling.

TWIN Founder & CEO Wolfgang Stockinger EHF Respect Your Talent
Programme co-creator and camp moderator: TWIN Founder & CEO Wolfgang Stockinger



Photos © EHF/kolektiff